Read through the hundreds of forums and bulletin boards on the
internet and you will find dozens of threads centering on the
lack of web site traffic. All the other remaining threads
bemoan the difficulty of getting visitors to return long enough
to buy something. Then there are the threads about the
complexity of getting listed and ranked well in important search
engines.
All of these dilemmas have the same cure - CONTENT. Content
that is pertinent to the subject of a website and updated
regularly makes a site "sticky." Sticky sites drive and keep
occupied all the visitors you could possibly handle. Search
engines drink from the fountain of fresh and interesting content
provided by savvy webmasters who enjoy increased rankings and
sales.
You too can enjoy these benefits with just a little effort and
a small budget if you create or find content appropriate to your
topic. Add some or all of the following types of content to
your site and your traffic will increase and visitors will
return often.
Articles - There is no doubt that free reprint articles are the
best way to populate websites. You can maximize the benefits of
articles by writing them yourself or by offering a small fee to
writers for customized versions of their popular articles.
Quotes - An interesting set of quotes on topic will help
motivate and inspire visitors. Add and delete quotes regularly
to keep your site fresh. Find quotes at
http://www.annabelle.net/ and http://www.brainyquote.com/.
Puzzles - People love games and puzzles. Appeal to the child
that exists inside all of your visitors and they will reward you
with their time and attention. One place to get a new monthly
puzzle is http://tinyurl.com/6spgk. Consider investing a small
sum to have a custom crossword puzzle developed for your site.
Forums - Follow in the footsteps of successful websites by
adding free forums to your site. Check out forum software at
http://www.yabbforum.com/ and http://www.phpbb.com/ Ask loyal
visitors to serve as moderators for specific topic threads.
Feedback/Guestbook - Allow visitors to ask questions or comment
on an issue raised by your site or your blog. Make this
information public (so long as it is in good taste) and
searchable by visitors.
Reviews - Unbiased reviews are universally popular. Add
reviews of books, software, hardware, scripts, movies,
television shows, schools or spas to your site and visitors will
return again and again.
Case Studies/Success Stories - Everyone loves a success story.
Interview your best customers and add their stories to your
website to bolster your credibility and satisfy your content
needs. Be careful to make the success story interesting and
motivational rather than commercial.
Jokes - A sense of humor is often lacking on the internet.
Imagine how impressed you would be by an attorney who has such a
good sense of humor that he keeps all the best attorney jokes on
his website. Follow in the footsteps of that attorney and
visitors will look forward to visiting your site.
Newsfeeds - Does your site cover a topic that frequently
generates breaking news? Add current news to your site via
feeds available at such websites as
http://www.news4sites.com/services/index.php?t=sites and enjoy a
higher rate of return visits from your readers.
Resource Directories - Instead of the usual reciprocal link
campaign consider adding a resource directory to your site that
actually points your visitors to valuable sites that compliment
your own. List only the sites you choose and do not incur
search engine wrath by insisting upon reciprocal links. All
links in the directory should open to a new browser window.
Newsletter & Archives - You don't have to recreate the wheel
and attempt to create a huge list for your newsletter. Offer
regular updates by e-mail or blog to current and potential
clients and include links to pertinent articles or resources.
Keep archives publicly accessible and search engines will visit
often.
Blogs - Why should you jump on the current trend of blogging?
Search engines adore blogs and visit them often because they
tend to be updated frequently. You can use a blog to replace
your e-mail newsletter and to feature your product or service
reviews and other bits of pertinent information that do not
merit a special e-mail to your customers.
Job Listings - Consider adding fresh job listings to your site
that fit your topic. For instance, you could feature
telecommuting jobs if your site topic is "work at home." Make
sure you have the permission of the employer prior to posting
their openings on your site.
Testimonials - Request testimonials form current and past
clients and sprinkle them throughout your website. Remove
outdated testimonials and add fresh ones on a regular basis.
Give your clients live links (opening in a new browser window)
to their website within the testimonial.
Please remember that you need permission to use content created
by someone else and at all times follow the rules of the Digital
Millennium Copyright Act of 1998. You can read the full text of
this law at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c105:H.R.2281.ENR:.
The internet was conceived as a method of sharing information
with people around the world. If we all return to these roots
by filling our websites with topic appropriate content then we
will be rewarded by search engines. Forums complaining about
the lack of website traffic will disappear and be replaced by
recommendations of interesting websites to visit.
(c) 2005, Davis Virtual Assistance. All rights in all media
reserved.
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Bonnie Jo Davis is a Virtual Assistant, writer and article
submission expert. To download her no cost, no obligation
"Writing For Publicity" e-book visit
http://www.articlesubmissionsites.com/.
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