15 Website Elements That Attract Visitors

Here is a quick list of components that make a websiteattractive. They are listed in layers of attractivenessbeginning with the "must" haves, to "nice to haves."

1. State the website's purpose up front and clearly of thesite. Do this as quickly as possible. The visitor needs toknow immediately if they have landed on the right site.They also need to know "what's in it for me to stay here."If you don't provide this, they are gone. 90% of the siteson the Net don't do this.

2. Give visitors the ability to search for exactly whatthey are looking for, if they have something exact inmind. A "site search feature" satisfies this best. Allowthe search feature to be prominently displayed and nothidden away somewhere. It is best place in the navigationalsystem so that it shows up on every page. Sales letter onlywebsites are an exception to this rule. Return visitors andvisitors that have something specifically in mind, want theoption and ability to find what they want fast. So give itto them.

3. Photos allow connection. Especially to people whoprocess visually. Clip art gets them to pay attention,however, it doesn't create much of a connection. Personalphotos connect within reason. Keep them less than three toa page. One photo always needs to be in the top portion ofthe screen on the first page. It doesn't need to be large,but attractive.

4. Ways to capture visitors information wherever possible.

5. Place items on the site that keep them lingering. Audioand video are one of these, yet there are other less timeconsuming and inexpensive ways to keep them entertained.

6. Articles. For solopreneur sites, your own writtenarticles. For other sites, articles with various authorsyet on focus.

7. Interactive elements. For example: response forms,quizzes

8. If you use a shopping cart, it must be fluid, nohiccups. PayPal is not a shopping cart, it's a hiccup. Allauto responders must be well written and positive. Ifsomeone purchased something, they need the energy of "thankyou."

9. Give offers that are of value.

10. Clear path of where a newcomer can start if it is theirfirst visit.

11. Newsletter that is consistent with the 80/20 rule.80% value and 20% marketing.

12. E-courses of value.

13. Well-written e-books: 50-75 pages, plus valuableinformation (info not found anywhere else). Length doesn'tdo more than provide perceptive value. Once purchased andthe vastness is only fluff, then your credibility is shot.Complimentary e-books meet the same requirements.

14. Give them other ways to receive more on...you if you arethe focus...or the information if that is the focus.

15. Automated referral system. If you want referrals foryour products or services, make it easy for you to get them.Set it up so it's as automatic as possible, and clear andeasy for someone to send you a referral. Be clear on whatand how you want to give for that referral.

Catherine Franz is a Marketing & Writing Coach, niches, product development, Internet marketing, nonfiction writing and training. Additional Articles: http://www.abundancecenter.com blog: http://abundance.blogs.com