| As webmasters are well aware, getting traffic is one | | | | that is distracting or abnormal to them. Ask for |
| thing; retaining that traffic can often be the tricky part. | | | | feedback if you must, but remember who your target |
| Surely we've all run across sites from time to time that | | | | audience is, and be sure to write for them above all |
| were easy to stumble upon, but then made us scratch | | | | else. |
| our head wondering how in the holy heck it got there, | | | | Make It Nice To Navigate |
| and what in the world did it do to deserve such choice | | | | One of the most annoying things you can do to your |
| rankings or links from other worthy sites. Unfortunately | | | | visitor, is to make them have to hunt down what |
| for webmasters, there isn't any one formula for a | | | | they're looking for. Make your sidebar clear, concise |
| tacky site people won't ever want to step foot in | | | | and easy to use. If you stop and think of what kind of |
| again. There are however, several things that can be | | | | information you would want as a new visitor, you can |
| done to prevent that dreaded situation. | | | | usually pull this off. For example, if you're selling a |
| Boost Your Content | | | | service, do not neglect to to list rates and hours of |
| It goes without saying that you cannot just have a | | | | service; if it's a product, don't forget size specifications |
| website with the basic "Home", "FAQ", "About Us", and | | | | and shipping guidelines; if it's a store then think about |
| "Contact" pages. Those represent grease on the | | | | including a map and even a picture of the storefront |
| wheel, so to speak. Having just those pages will make | | | | for added recognition. Make all of these things easy to |
| for one terribly boring site, while omitting them will make | | | | find! |
| for a choppy site where people are bound to get | | | | In short, put yourself in the shoes of someone visiting |
| stuck without these important navigation tools. Always | | | | for the first time, and be sure to include the information |
| include these whenever possible! | | | | they will expect when deciding whether or not to |
| In addition though, you absolutely must, have a healthy | | | | pursue your products and/or services. Again, have |
| amount of quality content. If you are selling something, | | | | someone unfamiliar with your business or hobby give |
| this is especially important. Your visitors want to see | | | | you feedback on what you may be missing. All too |
| you as an authority on your subject if they are going | | | | often, people are so used to knowing everything about |
| to buy your product or service. For example, if you are | | | | their subject, they forget others aren't as familiar and |
| selling pet food - write some articles on pet nutrition, | | | | need help. This again, can and will alienate visitors. |
| and heck - throw in some articles on pet care in | | | | Having an outsider's perspective will greatly reduce the |
| general! Going this extra mile will not only make better | | | | chances of omitting something obvious to you, but all |
| use of your keywords, but also show you want to | | | | too necessary for your visitors. |
| provide your valued browsers with relevant information | | | | Add The Attraction Factor |
| instead of just selling to them. This also does wonders | | | | Yes, this is the frosting folks. Only very select |
| toward the end goal, which is to keep these guests | | | | audiences actually want just the cake, so make it |
| interested enough to stick around and even bookmark | | | | palatable and nice looking. Don't flood your navigation |
| you for later visits. Another great tool is to have | | | | links with ad's, and remember to use colors with |
| something interactive for your visitors, like polls or even | | | | universal appeal whenever possible. Good color and |
| forums. Include them for input, and you'll automatically | | | | pattern schemes will give it the wow factor it needs |
| make them feel as though they're participating instead | | | | for users to experience that moment where they |
| of just reading. | | | | realize they've come across a truly well made |
| Use Appropriate Syntax | | | | website. Pay attention to your images, spacing, font |
| Always, always ALWAYS keep your audience in | | | | selection and link placement. As with all other steps, |
| mind, and write your content accordingly. You don't | | | | don't hesitate to get feedback - from multiple people, |
| want your articles to sound like a college thesis if | | | | preferably! |
| you're trying to do a gaming site any more than you | | | | These are just a few tips for now, on how to retain |
| want to sound like you're goofing around in a chat | | | | that traffic once you do manage to get it coming in. |
| room if your site is trying to sell floor laminate. Think | | | | Remember, your visitors don't just want good looks or |
| about who will be reading the site, and match the tone | | | | loads of content. And with careful, intuitive foresight, |
| so as to not alienate your readers. Nobody wants to | | | | you shouldn't ever have to sacrifice one for the other. |
| read what may be really good content, in a format | | | | So find the balance, and see where it leads. |