Every business owner has been there: You get all excited thinking you’ve got a new client, only for them to disappear without a trace, poof gone! These “browsing clients” are often curious but not fully committed, leaving business owners in limbo.

Web designers spend hours putting together quotes that go nowhere.
Car dealers chatted for ages with people who were just “looking.”
Caterers put together sample menus for events that never happen.
…and coaches and consultants and service providers, we tend to hand out free advice to people who never plan to hire us.

It’s definitely a bit frustrating and a drain on your time, but the good news is there are a few easy ways on how to stop getting stuck with these “just browsing” clients. Let’s take a look.

Put Your Prices Front and Center

This is one of those hotly debated topics. Should you put your prices on your website or keep them hidden? While there are pros and cons to both, one clear advantage of listing your prices is that it saves you time by quickly filtering out those who can’t afford your services. Personally, I am a fan of putting your pricing on your website.

You don’t have to list every single price if that feels too rigid. You could say something like, “Packages start at $1,000,” or share the price of your entry-level offering. This helps people know right away if they’re in the range of money they are willing to spend, so only those serious and who can afford it will stick around.

Use Intake Forms to Do the Heavy Lifting

Before you hop on a call with a potential client, have them fill out an intake form. This serves two purposes: First, it gives you a better idea of who they are, what they need, and if you can help them. But perhaps more importantly, it helps weed out the people who aren’t really serious.

Freebie hunters and tire kickers tend to disappear when you ask them to do a little work upfront, so if someone fills out the form, they’re already showing some commitment. You can also ask about their budget right on the form. Use a pre-set list that starts at your minimum price, like “$1,000 and up,” to make sure they’re ready to invest before you spend your time on a call.

Tweak Your Messaging to Attract the Right Crowd

The words you use in your marketing matter more than you might think! If your website is full of phrases like “simple steps” or “beginner tips,” you’ll likely attract people who are just starting out. But if you’re aiming for more experienced, high-end clients, it’s time to level up your language.

Instead of “step-by-step plans,” try something like “advanced strategies.” Mentioning specific tools or software that more seasoned business owners are familiar with can also signal that you’re speaking to a more experienced audience.

These small tweaks can make a big difference in stopping the “just browsing” clients and attracting the right clients—ones who are ready and excited to work with you!

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