Turning Website Visitors Into Customers
Insights from Jason Sherman on the Founders Forum Podcast
Millions of people visit business websites every day.
Only a small percentage ever become customers.
In fact, the average website converts only 2 to 5 % of visitors into customers. That means 95 % or more of people leave without taking action.
Jason Sherman, CEO and co founder of Vengo AI, recently joined Mark J. Bernstein on the Founders Forum podcast to talk about why this happens and how businesses can finally fix it.
The conversation covered entrepreneurship, AI, startup strategy, and the future of digital engagement. But one theme stood out clearly.
Most websites are still built for browsing instead of conversation.
And that is where businesses lose their customers.
The Hidden Problem With Most Websites
When someone visits a typical website today, they are expected to do all the work themselves.
They must search through pages.
Dig through FAQs.
Fill out forms.
Wait for someone to respond.
This friction creates a huge drop off in engagement.
Jason explained that the traditional website model is outdated because it relies on static information rather than real interaction.
Visitors often leave simply because they cannot quickly get the answers they need.
Instead of guiding customers toward a decision, most websites leave them wandering.
The Shift From Websites to Conversations
This is exactly the problem Vengo AI was built to solve.
Vengo AI transforms websites into interactive AI Sales Agents that can instantly engage visitors, answer questions, and guide them through the buying process.
Rather than forcing visitors to search through pages, the AI Sales Agent starts a conversation.
It can ask questions.
Provide recommendations.
Explain services.
Capture contact information.
Schedule meetings.
The result is a dramatically different experience for both the business and the customer.
Instead of a passive website, businesses suddenly have a 24 hour digital sales presence.
The Data Behind AI Driven Engagement
One of the most interesting parts of the podcast discussion was the performance data.
Across Vengo AI customer websites:
These numbers reveal something important.
Visitors are not avoiding interaction online.
They are avoiding friction.
When communication becomes simple and conversational, people are far more willing to engage.
Why AI Sales Agents Are Replacing Static Websites
Businesses have spent years optimizing landing pages, forms, and funnels.
But the internet is moving toward something much more natural.
Conversation.
Instead of navigating complicated website structures, visitors now expect to simply ask questions and receive immediate answers.
This is the same shift that happened when messaging replaced email for many interactions.
People prefer dialogue over searching.
AI Sales Agents allow businesses to deliver that experience instantly.
A Startup Lesson From the Conversation
Jason also shared an important lesson for founders.
Many startups build too much before they start selling.
His advice is simple.
Build the smallest possible version of your product.
Get it into customers’ hands quickly.
Use real feedback to guide development.
This approach allowed Vengo AI to pivot from its original concept into the B2B platform it is today.
Listening to customers revealed where the real demand existed.
And that demand was clear.
Businesses wanted a better way to convert website visitors into leads.
The Future of AI in Digital Experiences
Looking ahead, Jason believes AI driven interactions will become standard across the internet.
One area showing strong adoption is higher education.
University websites are notoriously difficult to navigate. AI agents can guide prospective students, answer questions about programs, and help families find information instantly.
But the bigger trend applies to nearly every industry.
Any organization with a website will eventually need a system that can talk with visitors, understand their needs, and help them take the next step.
Websites will no longer just display information.
They will actively participate in the customer journey.
Final Thought
For years, businesses have focused on driving more traffic.
But traffic alone does not create revenue.
Conversion does.
As Jason Sherman explained during the Founders Forum conversation, the companies that win online will be the ones that transform their websites from static pages into real conversations.
Because when visitors feel heard, understood, and guided, they do not just browse.
They become customers.