Keep Your Visitors Coming Back

Just like any business in the real world, the success of an online business depends on repeat traffic. I feel that concept is even more crucial in cyberworld because your customers don't have the ability to touch, feel or actually see your business. With that in mind, the purpose of this article is to offer some good suggestions on how you might generate a steady flow of repeat traffic to your web site.

You first have to ask yourself "What brought your visitors there in the first place?" Generally speaking, they either wanted an answer to a question or they were seeking a solution to a problem. If you thought it was because they had some extra money on their credit card that needed to be used up, you are probably reading the wrong article. All kidding aside, people visit your site to see what's in it for them, period. It is important to keep that philosophy in mind throughout your web site. It is that same philosophy that will keep them coming back as long as they feel you are adequately fulfilling that need.

With regards to fulfilling their needs, here are some suggestions to help you accomplish that.

Keep Your Content Fresh

I'm sure you have heard this many times but it is worth repeating. In the real world, you wouldn't subscribe to a magazine or newspaper if the same thing was printed all the time. The same principle applies in cyberspace. Information such as news stories, press releases, product or technology updates, informative articles, online quizzes or trivia contests are features that attract repeat visits. This concept can be reinforced by offering specialized or unique information that is not available elsewhere. This is the foundation of "niche marketing".

Make Your Site "Benefits Oriented"

Let's face it, nobody likes to be sold anything. However, people don't mind parting with their money if they have been properly educated and realize the value of their investment. If you keep your visitors entertained and well informed, chances are they will return. It is by this process as well, that you will gain credibility and earn their trust.

Credibility Is Crucial

This factor is vital in any business, but even more critical in the online world because if its intangible nature. Since there is usually no physical office and little or no human interaction, your potential customer must feel confident that the money they give you will be traded for the products/services of equal or greater value, delivered in a timely fashion.
Some tips on achieving that would include a strong, long-term guarantee of their satisfaction, testimonials from satisfied customers, a well published privacy statement that shows your intention to protect their sensitive information and a secure encrypted site from which to order.

Post A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Page

I am currently putting together such a page for my own site. The format can be tailored depending on the type of site you have. It should include questions and answers on topics such as your return policy, "How does this work?" for technical features, installation problems, how to contact your support staff, a brief company history and its purpose, ordering procedures, shipping options, updates and related products. This information should be assembled from actual questions as well as theoretical ones a prospect might ask. This type of page helps establish credibility and shows your visitor that you do care about their understanding and satisfaction. It also frees up your time by not having to respond to the same types of questions on a regular basis.

Constantly Promote Your Business

This is one of the more obvious tasks we should all be doing, but it can sometimes get pushed aside. With the thousands of new sites coming online every week, this is more important than ever. You should include your URL and e-mail address on all your company's printed material, ask your customers for referrals, exchange links with sites who can compliment yours just to mention a few. I think it is a good idea to sit down once a month and do some brainstorming to come up with new, creative marketing avenues. Who knows, you might come up with the next hot trend that can be very financially rewarding. At the very least, it will give you the satisfaction of knowing you are progressing towards your goals.

There are certainly many other ways to market your business and encourage repeat visits. Hopefully, this article has informed and inspired you to develop some of your own creative methods. May you continue to prosper in all that you do.

About the author:

Barry Craft has helped thousands of entrepreneurs develop more income from their online businesses. He publishes "Cyber Marketing News" which provides the latest Internet marketing tips.






barry@profitmatters.com.
http://www.profitmatters.com/