There are tons of reasons your web visitors might click the back button. In fact, you can probably think of websites you've avoided and those you've enjoyed. What was it that kept you browsing a well-made home page?
Maybe it was because the webmaster followed a few tips in this top 10 list.
(10) Provide Quality Content
People surf the Internet out of curiosity, some out of boredom. But the one thing everybody is looking for is pretty narrow. Folks are focused on finding one thing when they log on - and they won't stop until they find it.
Fortunately it can be your website they find. If you provide quality, useful articles and timely information that can really help others, you'll see your visitors, backlinks, and page rank jump through the roof. You can find quality articles for your website, ready to be published free-of-charge at www.ezinearticles.com.
(9) Give 'em Something Free
We instinctively respond to the word free. It conjures up thoughts of getting something for nothing, a deal, a bargain. On some levels it might even tickle the naughty, dangerous side of us - making us think we've gotten away with something of value without paying a dime.
Your web visitors will love freebies, so give them some. Find complimentary ebooks, free software, free product samples, bonus gifts with paid orders, and access to private areas of your site. Regardless of what you do, give something away for free and watch your hits explode.
(8) Include Lots to See and Do
The Internet was meant to be fun, exciting, and never ending - and your website should reflect that too. Sites like MySpace and YouTube didn't get where they are by being dry and redundant. Quality visitors demand return value (or a reason to return to your website again and again).
Set up streaming video and audio, add a frequently updated blog to the mix, give users a forum where they can discuss related topics, and design a wiki (interactive content) where visitors can contribute.
(7) Stay Away from SPAM
If I had a nickel for every joke I could insert here... but, seriously, unsolicited email is a huge no no when it comes to attracting visitors. Nothing repels quality leads, readers, and customers like your involvement in spamming. So just don't do it at all. Choose to reach your potential customers through opt-in email or better yet, try number six.
(6) Set Up an RSS Feed
RSS stands for really simple syndication. It's a way of sending out updates to your visitors who are subscribers to your RSS feed. Basically it's an easy-to-program special file on your server that changes with your content.
The fact is, most people are afraid to give their name and email address away for updates and newsletters - citing SPAM and other irritations. I hear it all the time. And RSS can be the solution to all that and more.
It allows your visitors to remain anonymous, yet stay informed about changes to your website, products, and newsletters in real time, as they happen. Visitors simply add your RSS feed to their news aggregators (some are build right into web browsers) and they follow your website as it unfolds. Better and less annoying than a cluttered inbox, right?
Plus the potential for advertising in RSS is endless. If you want visitors, jump on this one. You can find out more at: http://www.devx.com/xml/Article/10790/1954?pf=true
(5) Only Link with Reputable Websites
Just like in high school, you get a reputation for those you hang around. Online, it's no different. So choose your link partners carefully. One link to a shady website can not only get you blacklisted from search engines, it can also give you a horrible rep - so investigate before you link up with others.
(4) Advertise
Sometimes you've just got to reach into your pocket to get some attention.
If your website is new and you're on a tight budget, carefully research your market, decide how to reach them, then secure an ad in a low-cost newsletter or ezine saturated with your potential customers. You'll want quality visitors (those who eventually purchase something), so promote your website where it will hit the greatest number of those kinds of people.
Another route you can take is Google AdSense. The AdSense program only makes you pay for ads clicked on - a huge financial advantage. If written correctly, your ad will only attract serious buyers, making the few cents you pay for each click well worth it.
(3) Have Contests and Sweepstakes
Offer your visitors the chance to enter and win something. It really doesn't have to be anything big either - just the competition and the desire to win are enough to enhance your hit counter. Make the offer equally available (to those who buy and those who don't). Both types of visitor will eventually return to buy.
(2) Be Controversial
Ever hear of Napster? Though it's a mere shell of the site it used to be, Napster is the poster child for the whole controversial to popular website thing. It made people talk, it made people mad, but it got them to log on; then made the founder a very wealthy man.
To be really successful you have to take risks. Being the website that makes people gasp is hard, but the rewards can be enormous.
(1) Be Innovative
Finally, do something new and never seen before. Hundreds of successful websites have gotten that way by being innovative. Before Ebay there were no big auction sites - they paved the way, collected visitors and customers, then got rich.
Offer a product or service unlike anything on the market today. Be the innovator, not an imitator.
So take a look at your website, how does it stack up? Consider using a few of these tactics to build your traffic and who knows, you could be the buzz on everybody's lips.
About the author:
Michael Dennis has successfully designed attractive and profitable websites for a sea of clients. He has also created an affordable line of sales letter templates available for download at http://geniuspage.50webs.com. The package includes resale rights too.
To read more articles on Textile, Fashion, Apparel, Technology, Retail and General please visit www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/
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