In addition to attracting new web visitors, many websites depend on returning visitors to account for a major part of their traffic.
Returning visitors are easier to convert into paying customers because the more often they return to a site, the more trust they have in that site. The credibility issue diminishes over time. Following are 5 suggested ways to encourage visitors to come back to your site:
Start a forum or chatroom – build a community
When you start a forum or chatroom you provide your visitors with a place to voice their opinions and interact with their peers. As conversations occur a sense of community is built and your visitors will come back to your site on a daily basis simply to participate and belong.
Start a web log (blog)
Keep an online journal, more commonly known as a blog, on your site and update it with the latest news about you and your business. Human beings are curious creatures and they will welcome the opportunity to peek behind the public facade to get to know you better. There is no better way of building your own credibility and proving you are ‘real.’
Carry out polls or surveys
Polls and surveys are other forms of interaction with your web visitors that you should definitely consider adding to your site. They provide a quick way for visitors to voice their opinions and to get involved in your website. Be sure to publish polls or surveys that are strongly relevant to the target market of your website as this will ensure they return to view the results.
Offer puzzles, quizzes and games
OK, perhaps we shouldn’t be encouraging this, but just imagine how many office workers sit and procrastinate at work every day. Imagine if your site offered something more entertaining than the report that needs writing or the figures that need analysing. Puzzles, quizzes and games are addictive and entertaining. You can also hold competitions rewarding the highest score.
Update frequently with fresh content
Update your site frequently with fresh content so that every time your visitors come back, they will have something new and different to read on your site. This is probably the most effective method of encouraging visitors to return – nobody wants to read old news. It is also the least popular with website owners as it requires work and effort!
Remember, having a website is not enough. Without web traffic your website is the equivalent of leaving your brochures in a box in a cupboard. No-one gets to see them. Websites need constant care and attention to generate traffic and encourage repeat visits.
Which one of these five suggestions could you implement today?