21 Reasons Why The Next Site I Visit Could Be Yours (Part 2)
| Category: Marketing Strategy | Date: 2001-04-22 |
You spend so much time promoting YOUR site, but why, exactly, do YOU VISIT someone elses?
Continuing on from part 1, here are some more reasons why I visit a web site, and at least one way to make it a reason that I (or others) visit YOURS!
(Part 1 can be found at http://www.soaringprofits.com/nextsiteyours.htm)
Reasons I Visited A Web site:
14) I Read A Good Article [Write articles]
This is one of my favourite (oops, favorite!) reasons for visiting a web site. I mean youre reading this article arent you? And when youve finished reading it youll then visit my web site http://shoptour.co.uk (Wont you!?)
Seriously, writing articles about a subject youre 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.ezine-writer.com/
- http://www.web-source.net/
- http://bizweb2000.com/articles.htm
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.
(For instance, just look at Lycos Fetch: its a scratch-card game that reminds you, as you play it, of the different types of content that exists on Lycos site.)
- http://www.fetch.lycos.co.uk/lycos/
- http://www.hi2.com - play games, license games
- http://www.isyndicate.com - free games for your site
- http://www.amused.com - (fun and 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!)
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 theyll 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.
Make sure you have a clear policy on the kind of links you deem to be acceptable. Regularly monitor the page, just in case. Otherwise, how much more win-win can it get?
- 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.
Dont think you can create a web site resource? Dont think you can compete with these web site experts? You dont have to! Just start with a page of links that YOU visit - you do visit other sites, dont you? - with convincing REASONS WHY you visite them. And there you have it! A resources page that others WILL find useful, and will visit again!
Heres a starting point for your own webmaster resources page (I bet youve visited most of these sites too!!):
- http://cgi-resources.com/Programs_and_Scripts
- http://reallybig.com
- http://www.zdnet.com/developer/
- http://www.builder.com
- http://www.netmechanic.com
- http://www.sitepoint.com
- http://www.web-source.net/web/
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. Find everything you need to know about newsgroups here:
- http://home.cnet.com/internet/0-3805-7-1564164.html
(The insiders guide to Newsgroups)
- http://www.deja.com/usenet
("The largest archive of newsgroups on the net")
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.
As ever, you have a choice of paid-for or free banner-advertising solutions. For much, much more
- http://www.workz.com/content/468.asp
(Three Kinds of Banner Ads, Three Different Purposes)
- http://www.builder.com/Authoring/FreeTools/ss04.html
(Free banner-ad tools)
- http://www.workz.com/content/468.asp
(Where to Buy Banner Advertising)
- http://dmoz.org/Computers/Internet/WWW/Website_Promotion/Banner_Exchanges/ -1 word
(Free banner exchanges)
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.jimworld.com
Unfortunately, there are no easy links to visit, to make YOUR site unique, to give your site that WOW-factor (if only!). Sites like http://www.isyndicate.com can certainly add good content to your site; just like it can add good content to everyone elses site too!
Want to get repeat visitors to your site? Just make sure that some of the reasons to visit a site, discussed here and in the previous article, 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 to visit YOUR site!
Good luck in making your web site a Wow!
PS Ive just re-read my article, and re-visited my web site: Im going to be busy for some time!!
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?
pppromote@shoptour.co.uk
http://www.taurus-graphics.net
Continuing on from part 1, here are some more reasons why I visit a web site, and at least one way to make it a reason that I (or others) visit YOURS!
(Part 1 can be found at http://www.soaringprofits.com/nextsiteyours.htm)
Reasons I Visited A Web site:
14) I Read A Good Article [Write articles]
This is one of my favourite (oops, favorite!) reasons for visiting a web site. I mean youre reading this article arent you? And when youve finished reading it youll then visit my web site http://shoptour.co.uk (Wont you!?)
Seriously, writing articles about a subject youre 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.ezine-writer.com/
- http://www.web-source.net/
- http://bizweb2000.com/articles.htm
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.
(For instance, just look at Lycos Fetch: its a scratch-card game that reminds you, as you play it, of the different types of content that exists on Lycos site.)
- http://www.fetch.lycos.co.uk/lycos/
- http://www.hi2.com - play games, license games
- http://www.isyndicate.com - free games for your site
- http://www.amused.com - (fun and 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!)
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 theyll 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.
Make sure you have a clear policy on the kind of links you deem to be acceptable. Regularly monitor the page, just in case. Otherwise, how much more win-win can it get?
- 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.
Dont think you can create a web site resource? Dont think you can compete with these web site experts? You dont have to! Just start with a page of links that YOU visit - you do visit other sites, dont you? - with convincing REASONS WHY you visite them. And there you have it! A resources page that others WILL find useful, and will visit again!
Heres a starting point for your own webmaster resources page (I bet youve visited most of these sites too!!):
- http://cgi-resources.com/Programs_and_Scripts
- http://reallybig.com
- http://www.zdnet.com/developer/
- http://www.builder.com
- http://www.netmechanic.com
- http://www.sitepoint.com
- http://www.web-source.net/web/
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. Find everything you need to know about newsgroups here:
- http://home.cnet.com/internet/0-3805-7-1564164.html
(The insiders guide to Newsgroups)
- http://www.deja.com/usenet
("The largest archive of newsgroups on the net")
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.
As ever, you have a choice of paid-for or free banner-advertising solutions. For much, much more
- http://www.workz.com/content/468.asp
(Three Kinds of Banner Ads, Three Different Purposes)
- http://www.builder.com/Authoring/FreeTools/ss04.html
(Free banner-ad tools)
- http://www.workz.com/content/468.asp
(Where to Buy Banner Advertising)
- http://dmoz.org/Computers/Internet/WWW/Website_Promotion/Banner_Exchanges/ -1 word
(Free banner exchanges)
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.jimworld.com
Unfortunately, there are no easy links to visit, to make YOUR site unique, to give your site that WOW-factor (if only!). Sites like http://www.isyndicate.com can certainly add good content to your site; just like it can add good content to everyone elses site too!
Want to get repeat visitors to your site? Just make sure that some of the reasons to visit a site, discussed here and in the previous article, 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 to visit YOUR site!
Good luck in making your web site a Wow!
PS Ive just re-read my article, and re-visited my web site: Im going to be busy for some time!!
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?
pppromote@shoptour.co.uk
http://www.taurus-graphics.net
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