# SearchSignal Conversion Plan

## Conversion philosophy

The homepage should not force a visitor to understand every feature. It should make one product change obvious:

> Connect SearchSignal once, then retrieve live SEO evidence from the AI environment already doing the work.

The conversion funnel must reward that promise quickly. A signup that never creates a token or completes a first tool call is not an activated customer.

## Primary conversion paths

### Developer path

1. Arrives on homepage, SEO MCP page, docs, or a client integration.
2. Clicks **Start free — get your token**.
3. Creates account.
4. Adds or selects project.
5. Creates token.
6. Copies exact client configuration.
7. Completes first `workspace_pack` or `latest_audit` call.
8. Receives one useful evidence-backed output.

### Marketer or founder path

1. Arrives on feature, solution, pricing, or free keyword page.
2. Starts free.
3. Adds domain and runs first audit or keyword exploration.
4. Sees prioritized opportunity.
5. Connects an AI client from the contextual prompt.
6. Retrieves the workspace in the agent.

## Page-level conversion intent

| Page type | Primary action | Secondary action |
|---|---|---|
| Homepage | Start free | See connection flow |
| Platform | Start free | Explore features |
| Feature | Start free | Connect AI |
| Integration | Generate token/config | Open docs |
| SEO MCP / API | Start free | Read category guide |
| Free keyword page | Start free | Compare plans |
| Pricing | Start Free or Upgrade | Review feature detail |
| Resource | Put guide into practice | Read related guide |
| Docs | Connect first client | Review security |

## Activation design

The first-run experience should show only the next necessary action. Recommended sequence:

1. **Add project** — domain, ownership context, and optional Search Console connection.
2. **Build workspace** — run audit or create first research object.
3. **Create token** — explain one-time reveal and storage.
4. **Choose client** — Cursor, Claude, Windsurf, VS Code, ChatGPT/HTTP, or other.
5. **Copy configuration** — exact, validated configuration generated server-side.
6. **Run first prompt** — client-specific prompt that asks for a workspace pack.
7. **Confirm connection** — show successful call, client name, tool, and timestamp.
8. **Choose next job** — audit implementation, keyword opportunity, competitor gap, or weekly briefing.

## Conversion copy rules

- Use “Start free” rather than “Book a demo” for self-serve traffic.
- Use “Get your token” when the audience understands developer tooling.
- Use “Connect your AI” when the visitor is problem-aware but not protocol-aware.
- Repeat that no dashboard is required after setup, but do not disparage the workspace UI.
- Explain what happens after the click.
- Keep one visually dominant CTA per viewport.

## Friction to remove

- Signup that loses the intended return path.
- Token page before a project or useful workspace exists.
- Config examples with placeholder syntax that differs from the current client.
- A secret that is shown again after the one-time reveal.
- No confirmation of successful connection.
- Generic first prompts that fail to demonstrate live evidence.
- Plan limits that appear only after a failed action.
- Upgrade interruption before the user reaches first value.

## Experiments

Run one material experiment at a time and judge on activation, not click-through alone.

1. Hero CTA: “Start free — get your token” vs “Connect your AI free.”
2. Hero demonstration: audit implementation vs workspace briefing.
3. Signup order: project first vs client first.
4. Connection page: client tabs vs guided client chooser.
5. First prompt: broad workspace pack vs immediate technical win.
6. Pricing emphasis: Free completeness vs Pro data depth.

## Guardrail metrics

- signup completion;
- project creation;
- token creation;
- configuration copy;
- successful first call;
- time to first call;
- first useful result;
- token rotation/revocation failure rate;
- support requests per activation step;
- Free-to-Pro upgrade after meaningful usage;
- cancellation and failed-payment rates.

Do not optimize landing-page CTR if successful first calls decline.