A Practical Guide from Nashville Fractional CMO, Kari Brown
When I step into a company as a fractional CMO, I don’t start with social media. I don’t start with ads. I almost start with the website. Because your website tells me whether your marketing is aligned… or just active.
If you want to evaluate your own website the way an executive marketing leader would, here’s where to start.
Run the 5-Second Test
Open your homepage and ask yourself:
- Is it immediately clear who this is for?
- Is the problem you solve obvious?
- Is there one primary next step?
- Does this feel specific, or could it belong to anyone?
Simplify the Call to Action
This is where I see a lot of friction. Ask yourself:
- Are we asking visitors to do too many things?
- Is the primary CTA aligned with how we actually close deals?
- Is the next step clear and low friction?
If you sell high-value services, “Contact Us” is rarely enough.
Move Proof Where It Matters
Testimonials buried on a separate page don’t build trust. Proof should live:
- Near bold claims
- Before major CTAs
- Close to pricing or service descriptions
Audit for Conversion
Before you spend another dollar on traffic, check:
- Is your mobile experience clean?
- Is your form simple?
- Does your site load quickly?
- Is it obvious what happens after someone reaches out?
As a fractional CMO, I like to focus on efficiency before expansion.
Ask the Sales & Marketing Alignment Question
If your sales leader and your marketing leader reviewed the site together today, would they both say: “Yes. This reflects who we are and who we want.” If not, that gap is costing you money. And that’s usually when companies realize they don’t need more tactics. They need executive marketing leadership.
When It’s Time to Bring in a Fractional CMO
A fractional CMO helps businesses in Nashville bring structure, positioning, and executive-level thinking to marketing without the full-time cost. And often, it starts with a website audit just like this.
If you’d like an executive-level review of your website and marketing strategy, let’s talk.