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Website Optimization

As most webmasters would agree, getting traffic is one challenge, and retaining traffic is another. Fortunately there are numerous inexpensive and free methods and strategies, for retaining traffic.

Quality Content is King and Queen

The following are staples of a website, Home, FAQ, About Us, and Contact pages. Those are a given, however having only those pages would be a very boring and ineffective website. Yet without those pages it would be quite difficult for a visitor to easily navigate your website. Thus said include them whenever possible.

This should go without having to be said but quality content is an absolute must. If there is a product or service being sold, your visitors want to know that you're informed, and know your stuff. Actually, they’d like to believe you're an expert if they’re going to buy from you.

For example, if you are selling cashmere scarves, write articles on the origin and care of cashmere. While you’re at it, write a few articles on the origin and care of a few other fabrics, silk, lambs wool, and so forth. Taking this extra step makes better use of your keywords, which helps to generate even more traffic. And your valued visitors see you’re providing helpful and relevant information and not just pitching them.

This approach can help to keep your guest interested enough to stay for a while, and perhaps bookmark your website for later visits.

It is extremely important to always keep your readers in mind and write accordingly, always. If you’re writing about downloading music, you don’t want your article to sound like a medical report, and of course the reverse applies as well. It’s very important to be conscious of your guests so as not to alienate them. People do not want to read even good content, in a form that is distracting or unusual to them.

Make It Easy To Navigate

One of the most frustrating things a visitor can experience is having to track down what they’re looking for on your website. Your sidebar should be concise, clear and very easy to use. Generally put yourself in the new visitors position. What type of information would you want to see? Let’s say you have a service, be sure to list rates and hours. For a product, remember size specifications and shipping guidelines. For a brick and mortar, include a map and maybe a picture of the store front for credibility and recognition. All of these items should be easy to find on your website.

To summarize, imagine you’re the visitor at your website for the first time. Now include the information you’d expect to see, when deciding whether or not to pursue the products and/or services being offered.

Have someone that is not familiar with your product and/or service, provide you with feedback on what may be missing. Oftentimes when a person is very familiar with a topic they forget or overlook the fact that others aren’t as knowledgeable and may need help. The outsider’s perspective may greatly reduce the chance of omitting something quite necessary for your website’s visitors.

Looks Are Important

As with food, presentation is important. Don’t overwhelm your guests with ads and promotions. Less can be more. Use colors that have a wide appeal. Watch your images, spacing, font selection and placement of links. Once again, don’t hesitate to get feedback from others. Yes it is your website, but the website is not for you. It’s for your prospects and customers. We must always remember that.

By being careful and intuitive we can strike up a balance of good looks and quality content. We should never have to sacrifice one for the other. Look for a good balance and evaluate the results.

Rob L. Daniel is a United States Air Force veteran. He served for years as a top-producing stockbroker, with the Investment banking firm of Lehman Brothers. He has had key sales and marketing positions in and outside of corporate America. He is a full time Internet marketer, with a fast track global personal development company. He leads his team and helps others generate traffic and sales for their businesses. Currently he resides in Los Angeles, California.

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