Make Your Website Sticky
by Erika Pitera
A website is considered "sticky" if it can successfully attract and retain customers. One sure-fire way to keep visitors coming back to your site is to provide them with fresh content on a regular basis. Sticky sites also use direct and reliable means of communication, such as RSS feeds or opt-in newsletters, to reach customers.
Here are some of the most effective ways to create a sticky website:
Create an easily navigable site. Terms on your home page should be familiar and comfortable. Some basic design principles include:
- Links should change color after being clicked.
- Use left-hand navigation for peer-level links.
- Place your logo in the upper left corner.
- Insert search boxes on the home page.
- Place links to the shopping cart in the upper right corner.
- Use a site map.
- Keep navigation simple and fast. Fix broken links and make sure all your pages load quickly.
- Slow websites lead to impatient customers.
- Tell customers who you are and what you're all about. A concise "About Us" will go great lengths to differentiate your business from the competition.
- Refresh your content frequently. Blogs are great tools for keeping customers up-to-the-minute on your news. Keep graphics fresh, as well.
- Archive your site's information. It doesn't cost much and having a back up of your content can never hurt.
- Test your site for usability. Make sure labels are relevant, and check all links.
- Keep an eye out for errors or other areas of your site that might need minor revisions. Check traffic patterns and consumer behavior. Your job as website owner is never done.
- Give your site credibility and gain your customers' trust. Consider including testimonials, money-back guarantees, clear return policies and contact information (especially a phone number) so customers can get in touch with you.
If you keep these principles in mind when designing and maintaining your website, you'll have a sticky site that motivates customers to visit your business repeatedly.