21 Reasons Why The Next Site I Visit Could Be Yours

You spend so much time promoting YOUR site, but why, exactly, do YOU VISIT someone else's?

The other day, I re-visited all of the sites I had been to that week (using Internet Explorer's History option). I asked myself the simple question: "Why did I visit that site?" And I came up with 21, yes 21!, reasons why I visited a particular web site. Now if they are reasons why *I* visited a site, they could well be reasons why I (or someone else) would visit YOUR site!

So here are some reasons why I visit a web site, and at least one way to make it a reason that people visit YOURS!

Reasons I Visited A Web site:

*1* To Win Prizes [Run an online competition]

Surfers are a selfish lot - they all want to win something (including me)! Why not let them? A suitable joint venture, affiliate program or just something you can offer as a prize will do it. Find more information about online competitions at
- http://www.loquax.co.uk/webmaster/

*2* To Read My E-mail [Host a web-based e-mail service]

This is Hotmail's fault (but I keep on returning!). Now there are plenty of ways to create your own free web-based e-mail system, with your own web-address too. Why not visit
- http://www.bigmailbox.com

*3* To Buy Something [Join an affiliate program]

I admit it, I'm one of the few that buy online!! You probably do too. Did you know that there are many, many ways of running your own virtual store. The easiest way, though, is to build a collection of affiliate links (not just banner ads!) that your site visitors will really appreciate. Find details here
- http://www.shoptour.co.uk/webmaster-profit/

*4* Because Of Free Stuff [Create a download resource]

We all like freebies, and even visit sites that only contain LINKS to freebie-sites. Well, now it's possible to put free downloads etc on your site. Visit this site for an example
- http://subportal.iboost.com/subportals.html

*5* I Found It On Google [Submit site to search engines]

Submitting your site to search engines is a must, when it comes to getting visitors to your site. Rather than going on about meta tags, keywords, doorway pages, etc., I'll just point you to my favourite resource (ahem!)
- http://www.HowIPromoteMyWebsite.com

*6* I Clicked A Link On Someone's Site [Reciprocal link]

Links to your site get you noticed; links to your site build trust; AND links to your site improve your ranking on search engines. So swap links with similar sites, and create a "Links" page. Or just visit this sites for more ideas
- http://www.howipromotemywebsite.com/bin/ap.pl?link-swaps

*7* I Read About The Site In An E-mail [Press release]

This could also be 'because I saw the site address in a magazine or a newspaper'. How did that address get to be in the newspaper or e-mail? Probably because someone submitted a press release to the editor of the magazine, newspaper, or ezine. Most news is 'created' via a press release or publicity stunt. Learn how to get your news release published here
- http://www.howipromotemywebsite.com/bin/ap.pl?press-release

*8* Because Your Site Already Book Marked [Add To Favorites]

"Bookmark my site!" Does your site exclaim this? Do you ask visitors to "Add this site to your favorites!" You should do. You can get a simple bit of JavaScript that will do both for you dependent on your visitor's browser. Find a script here
- http://javascript.internet.com/

*9* As Site Was Recommended To Me By Friend [Recommend site]

You see those links on a site that say: "Like our site? Tell a friend!" Well, it works. People like to recommend a great site to their friends - they gain kudos, respect. So why not make it easy for them to recommend YOUR site to THEIR friends! You can set up a recommend service yourself by using a free Perl/ CGI script, or let another site provide the service (for free):
- http://www.bignosebird.com (script called Birdcast)
- http://www.recommend-it.com

*10* To Meet Others [Build a community]

This is a 'killer reason' to visit any web site. You meet others that share your interest, and you swap information and ideas. Message boards, forums, online communities, they all generate a great deal of traffic; traffic that returns again and again. Community-building tools are free, but you will need to promote heavily to get your community started, and you will need to consider just how you go about moderating the discussions too
- http://www.ezboard.com/

*11* I Read A Site's Newsletter [Create a newsletter, e-zine]

I subscribe to many newsletters to find out about free offers, competitions, price updates; or just to act as a reminder to visit that site. (I only subscribe if I'm confident my e-mail is safe from spam, mind - I always look for a privacy statement of some kind.) A newsletter provides you with an excellent opportunity to stay in touch with your site visitors; a great newsletter even encourages new visitors. Use this resource
- http://www.topica.com

*12* I Saw the URL Somewhere [Promote your site off-line]

Now where did I did see that URL (website address)? Was it on someone's T-shirt, or on the side of a car? Was it on a letterhead or business card? Was it on a tie-pin or broach? Was it on a computer's screen saver, or an electronic Christmas card? Was it on a bill-board or on TV? Was it on a restaurant's guest book(!)... Okay, okay, I'll stop there! But you get the idea!

(Oh! And don't forget your e-mail signature files!)
- http://www.siglets.com

*13* To Check On An Affiliate Program [Run affiliate program]

Affiliate programs are great, and if you sell a product on-line you should *seriously* think of running one (if you don't already). Affiliates help 'spread the word' about your site; they also improve sales; AND - remember this! - they keep on revisiting your site to check just how much money they've made! You win, and your affiliates win too (with improved site-content, and earnings)! For further advice
- http://AnyoneCanSellOnline.com/right-affiliate-program.shtml

*14* I Read A Good Article [Write articles]

This is one of my favourite (oops, favorite!) reasons for visiting a web site. I mean, you're reading this article aren't you? And when you've finished reading it you'll then visit my web site http://www.TextMeFree.com (Won't you!?)

Seriously, writing articles about a subject you're interested and knowledgeable about, can bring lots of traffic to your site. Write an interesting article (and not just a sales letter), then sell yourself or your site in the article by-line at the bottom. Here are links to inspire you
- http://www.howipromotemywebsite.com/write-articles.html
- http://www.web-source.net/

*15* To Play A Game [Add a game to your site]

I am not one for playing games, online! I still visit Lycos to play Fetch most days, however (you just never know!). As for the surfing habits of others - online games are BIG. Games can bring repeat traffic to your site, and can even encourage game-players to explore the rest of your site too.

As with most online content, there are free as well as fee-based solutions. Just be clear as to the aims and objectives of an online game before you decide to pursue this option.
- http://www.fetch.lycos.co.uk/lycos/
- http://www.findsticky.com/Games/

*16* The Site Is My Default Home Page [Make site home page]

Why do you think Microsoft and Netscape have two of the most visited sites on the web? Could it possibly be related to the simple fact that both produce Internet browsers with their own site as default home page!? If they can get site visitors this way, then so can you! (And so can Yahoo!)

If you distribute copies of Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator to your customers then why not set the default home page to be the address of your site! Or, you could just ask your site visitors to make your site their home page. (A great web site with regularly changing content helps here, though!)

See how Yahoo pops the question
- http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/linktoy/hp.html

*17* To Check My Ranking [Host a 'topsites' page]

Site owners are a vain bunch! Tell them that their site is 'in a popularity contest' on your links page, and they'll visit the page every day to see if their hit-count has gone up! (Or am I just talking about myself here? ;-) )

That is, in effect, what a 'topsites' page is: an easy way to create a reciprocal-links page on your site. Each link can be set up automatically via a perl/CGI script. And the links can be ordered in terms of popularity; i.e. sites that bring most traffic to your site, get the highest placing.
- http://www.top50.to/ (example site)
- http://cgi.resourceindex.com/ (free topsites scripts)

*18* To Find A File Or Other Resource [Make site a resource]

There are some fantastic web sites out there, containing a wealth of resources that can improve my (and YOUR) web site. And to all those Webmasters responsible I say 'Thank You'. Not that they need my thanks; they get their dues from a massive, and steady, supply of site-traffic.

Don't think you can create a web site resource? Don't think you can compete with these web site experts? You don't have to! Just start with a page of links that YOU visit - you do visit other sites, don't you? - with convincing REASONS WHY you visit them. And there you have it! A resources page that others WILL find useful, and will visit again!
- http://cgi-resources.com/Programs_and_Scripts
- http://www.sitepoint.com

*19* I Saw Link In Newsgroup [Participate in newsgroups]

Newsgroups are becoming less popular, apparently, as more and more people go on-line for the first time. However, newsgroups (or online forums) are still a good way to exchange ideas, and advertise your site in the process. (I still get visitors to my site, because of a newsgroup posting.)

If nothing else, newsgroups allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise to a wider audience, maybe even your target audience. - http://groups.google.com

*20* I Saw A Banner Ad [Join a banner exchange]

Banner advertising still works! Click-thru rates might be lower - not for those banners that disguise themselves, though! - but they can still increase awareness of your site/product. - http://www.builder.com/Authoring/FreeTools/ss04.html

*21* Because The Site Promises To Be *UNIQUE* [Wow-factor]

Is your site the next Napster or ICQ or Yahoo? Have you produced a site that is just SO useful or unique that everyone wants to use it; that everyone wants to tell their friends? Or have you created a site that combines several great reasons to visit, making your site a must-visit, must-bookmark site!

The site below is one such site that makes me say "Wow!" - http://www.jessett.com

Unfortunately, there are no easy links to visit, to make YOUR site unique, to give your site that WOW-factor (if only!). There are no easy answers, but it is possible nevertheless...

Want to get repeat visitors to your site? Just make sure that some of the reasons to visit a site, discussed here, are reasons to visit YOUR site! And remember, I am not YOU! You may have your own reasons for visiting a web site; just make sure they become reasons for people to visit YOUR site too!

Good luck in making your web site a 'Wow!'

PS I've just re-read my article, and re-visited my web site: I'm going to be busy for some time!!

PPS Want some more ideas, read this article called: "Add Wow To Create a Buzz" - http://HowIPromoteMyWebsite.com/bin/ap.pl?wow

© Copyright 2002 Steve Nash. All Rights Reserved.

About the Author

Steve Nash is webmaster at http://www.taurus-graphics.net - website hosting, design and promotion at prices YOU can afford. He also edits the newsletter Promote! Promote! Promote! - great ways to promote and grow your business, online! Why not subscribe?

Steve Nash
email - smnash@bigfoot.com
URL - http://www.HowIPromoteMyWebsite.com

smnash@bigfoot.com
http://www.HowIPromoteMyWebsite.com