Conversion rate

Definition

Conversion rate measures the percentage of website visitors or users who take a desired action, often referred to as a “conversion.”

What is a conversion rate?

Conversion rate is a key performance indicator (KPI) used to evaluate the effectiveness of a website or marketing campaign in achieving its objectives. A higher conversion rate generally indicates that a larger percentage of visitors are taking the desired action. The action could be making a purchase, filling out a form, signing up for a newsletter, or any other goal. 

The formula for calculating conversion rate is:

Conversion rate = (Number of conversions / Number of visitors) x 100

Marketers often use conversion rate data to optimise their websites or landing pages. Changes to website design, copywriting, call-to-action buttons, and other elements are made to improve the likelihood of conversions.

Factors such as website usability, page load times, and the overall user experience significantly impact conversion rates. Improving these aspects can positively influence conversion rates. Marketers often conduct A/B testing (split testing) to compare the performance of different variations of a webpage or marketing campaign. Conversion rate data helps determine which variations are more successful in driving conversions.

While a high conversion rate is desirable, it’s essential to consider the quality of conversions. Not all conversions are equal, and marketers may need to assess the value of each type of conversion in relation to business objectives.

Example of conversion rate

Let’s consider an example of conversion rate for an e-commerce website:

  • Number of conversions (Purchases): 200
  • Number of visitors: 5,000

Conversion rate = (200 / 5,000) x 100 = 4%

The conversion rate for this e-commerce website is 4%. This means that out of the 5,000 visitors to the website, 4% made a purchase.

Ready to grow your business?

Clever finance tips and the latest news

Delivered to your inbox monthly

Join the 110,000+ businesses just like yours getting the Swoop newsletter.

Free. No spam. Opt out whenever you like.

Disclaimer: Swoop Funding LLC (“Swoop”) is a financial technology platform and commercial finance broker, not a lender. Swoop does not provide loans or make credit decisions. We match US-based firms with third-party lenders, equity funds, and grant agencies. All financing is subject to lender credit approval and the specific terms and conditions of the funding provider.

Broker Compensation Disclosure: Swoop provides its platform and matching services to applicants at no direct cost. We receive compensation in the form of a commission or referral fee from the finance providers in our network upon successful placement. This compensation may vary by provider and product. In certain instances, the commission paid to Swoop may influence the interest rate or terms offered by the lender, which can affect the total amount payable under your agreement.

Credit Authorization & FCRA Notice: By submitting an application or registering an account, you provide “written instructions” to Swoop under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to obtain your personal and/or business credit profile from consumer reporting agencies. This information is used solely to evaluate your eligibility for financing and to match you with appropriate lenders in our network.

State-Specific Disclosures:

Florida & Utah: Swoop complies with state commercial financing disclosure laws regarding the transparency of terms for non-real estate secured commercial transactions.

Entity Information: Swoop Funding LLC is a Delaware limited liability company. US Headquarters: 43 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10010, United States. Contact: hello@swoopfunding.com

General Terms: Applicants must be 18 years of age or older. All firms must be registered and operating within the United States. SBA loans are issued by private lenders and guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration; Swoop is not a government agency. Please review our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for full details.

If you have a complaint, please refer to our Complaints Policy.

© Swoop 2026

Looks like you're in . Go to our site to find relevant products for your country. Go to Swoop