Driving traffic to your website is only half the battle. To really experience success with your website, you need to get those users to stay on your site. When your users stay on your website, you can expect these positive results:
- Lower bounce rate
- Higher search engine ranking
So, a website with staying power is a successful one. Here are some practices that will BOOST your website’s staying powe
Link Titles –A link title is that short description that pops up when you hover your mouse over an in-text link. Users like knowing where they’re going before they click on a link.
Appealing Design – Attractive colors, up-to-date look, easy to read.
Good Balance between Ads and Content – Strike a balance between the number of ads you display and the amount of truly useful content you have on your site. Remember, people come there first to get information. If they are impressed with your site, they will explore the products you promote and the businesses you recommend.
Strong Connection between Products and Need – When the ads make sense to them, they feel at home. Even if they don’t click on the ads you display on your site, they will be more likely to return if they can relate to them. Example: If you are over 22 years old, try watching MTV for an hour. Watch the ads…are you their target market? Do you feel uncomfortable? Yeah.
Good Use of Media – Use photos, videos and audio clips to break up lots of text.
Intuitive Navigation and Organized Layout – Online users are all about efficiency and usability. Navigation that makes sense coupled with an organized layout produces an overall easy-to-use website.
Search Feature – Users will appreciate a search feature on your site if you have extensive content (another plus) when they are looking for something specific.
Here are some practices that will KILL your website’s staying power:
Slow-loading Flash Presentations – They’re pretty, but not functional.
High Quantities of Advertisements – When your site has too many ads and very little content, your users will flee.
Ugly/Annoying Advertisements – Really, if you can control this, your site will be more successful. Example: Ads that flicker or flash neon colors at your users. People can only stand that for so long before they vacate.
Pop-up or Hovering Windows – Once again, annoying.
Distracting Backgrounds – As tempting as it is to choose that Hello Kitty patterned background, don’t do it.
Anything Offensive – When you’re trying to win people over, you generally don’t want to offend them.
