Your goal for sites is probably to get traffic – and to get traffic you need to optimize your site so search engines will index it. What about after the traffic lands on your site? You need to keep visitors there and convince them to buy. You need to optimize your site for this purpose, as well.
Here are several tactics you need to implement on your sites, and more ideas on what more you should think about.
Your page must load quickly, in about 10 – 20 seconds.
Do not put many graphics or banners on your site.
Any graphics, including background, must be compressed for file size (10,000 bytes or less each).
The purpose of the site must be clear and stated up front.
Clear paths to other pages must be obvious.
Do not place a banner or link at the top of your site, directing visitors (and some spiders) away.
Use the proper relevant keywords for your site and use those keywords strategically – in your title, your meta tags, your text, your descriptions, your links, your heading tags.
Figure out the best keywords for your site – ones people will do a search for.
Make your page keyword-rich without “spamming” tricks.
Your site should contain no broken links (links that don’t connect to a site).
Your links should go where expected.
Link to the other pages of your site “web” – make it easy to find anything at your site.
No more than 3 clicks should be required for anyone to get to a page.
Use plenty of relevant text, and use your keywords in the text (no more than 8-10% in density, but at least 1%).
Exchange links with other sites with a COMMON product line.
Keep the number of choices LOW on your site – give people just a few things to think about – place other choices onto new pages.
Explain the BENEFITS of your product or service – not just the features. Why would your product benefit someone? Use compelling ideas that will intrigue a visitor.
Explain what the negative side is if your visitor does not buy – will he miss out on something?
Give a clear way to buy – show how to purchase easily. List the price, as well, so people don’t have to hunt for it.
List your contact information on the site – name (or name of your company), address, phone, email, fax.
Give visitors a way to bookmark or refer your site.
Offer incentives for those who purchase.
Get your sites in better shape using the above tactics – to gain higher search engine rankings and to convert visitors to stay and buy.
P. Roe does website optimization work, and is working on her sites all the time – many are in number 1-10 ranking on Google and Yahoo! Subscribe to “Wise Little Tidbits” for more optimization tips. mailto:ezineshere@aol.com?WLT http://doubleii.com/webservices.htm
