After you've determined how your web site will be produced, you have to make sure that people visit and return. Work with both your web designer and hosting provider for information on how to drive traffic to your site. Many designers will work with you to optimize your web pages for search engines. This is called Search Engine Optimization or SEO for short. There are other things you can do to promote repeat visitations. Below are 6 easy ways to get you started on building a site that encourages users to return. * Offer some useful information to your visitors to encourage repeat visitation. Traffic is the Internet's currency and is very valuable for your business. For example, if you are selling furniture, you may want to include articles or tips relating to interior design or decorating. Or what about a listing or related books and magazines? * Include your web address on all of your print materials and all your other public relation efforts. This would include all business cards, stationary, press releases, coupons, commercials, and other ads. * Be sure to check your web statistics regularly so you can see how effective your advertising efforts have been and also to see how you can improve your site. Your hosting provider, in most cases, will provide you with your statistics. You can find out valuable information regarding whoever is linking to your site and the top keywords used to find your site. * Gather your visitor's information in some way either through opt-in electronic mailing list or by allowing them to complete a form for free information. You could also have a guestbook or a message board. * Incorporate important messages and your domain address in your email signatures. These signatures are appended to all your email messages and go out to people who may have not been aware of your services. * Make sure your domain name is related to your company name or what you offer. For example you may have company that sells used CDs. You could purchase one domain name that reflects your company and then have another one like usedcds.site or something to that effect. Your online success depends on how much targeted traffic you generate. The great part about building online relationships is that you don't have to have a site that generates hundreds of thousands of visitors per day to be successful. If focus your efforts on a core market and service them well, they'll keep visiting and ultimately they'll become loyal customers for years to come. |
