So you have created a website and you want as many people as possible to visit your site, and read your content. But for some reason you haven’t figured out yet, your visitors leave your site almost as quickly as they arrive.
The truth is, if your visitors are not going to stick around long enough to read your content, there will be no engagement and you will have zero chances of increasing your conversion rate.
Plus, your site will not appear in search rankings as Google ranks websites according to engagement. There’s a need, therefore, to have people visit your site and stick around to read your content. Here’s what you can do to achieve this:
1. Make the Website Design Appealing
Whether or not you like it, internet users are moved by what they see. If your website is poorly designed, no one will want to click on it and even if they do, they won’t stick around.
Your audience will also quickly conclude that your content is as poor as your design and they will leave. You need to make your website design as captivating as you can to your target audience.
So ask yourself: who are my target audience and what do they like? It is important to use colors that will not only appeal to your audience but are easy on the eyes.
2. Use Captivating Headlines That Match Your Content
Never underestimate the power of your headline. If you use a boring headline, your audience will leave without reading your content even when it is packed with valuable information.
But if you use an interest arousing headline, your visitors will want to read your content. Bear in mind, however, that creating a captivating headline is not the only thing that you need to make your visitors stay.
You also need to ensure that your headline matches your content. Your headline should help your audience know what to expect. It should not be misleading. Your visitors will quickly abandon your site once the first few lines of your post do not match your headlines.
3. Keep Your Text Short and Simple
Everyone knows that most internet users are not patient readers. The shorter the text, the easier it will be for your visitors to read. Instead of using long words and ambiguous terms, think of using short and simple words.
The main advantage of using short and simple sentences in your post is that it makes your content scannable and easy to consume. Avoid making your article a long read.
Learn to make the main points stand out and keep your content short and interesting.
4. Create Value-adding Content
You also need to ensure that you create content that adds value to your audience. So ask yourself again: who are my target audience and what do they stand to benefit from the article?
If your readers see that your post will not benefit them in any way, they will leave. But if you offer valuable content, not only will they stay for longer, they will also keep coming back for more.
5. Do Away With The Visitors Form
If your visitors find something interesting on your website, don’t ruin the moment with a visitor’s form. Allow them to read your content, comment and contact you without having to fill in any personal information.
If a visitor’s form pops up immediately visitors open your website, many will likely leave within a few seconds. If you want your readers to contact you, leave your email address or your phone number.
They will provide their personal details whenever they get in touch with you.
6. Regularly Update Your Site
Your audience wants to see something new whenever they visit your site, so learn to update your site regularly.
Whether you are adding new content or your updating old ones, make sure that it is something that will interest your audience. There’s no point adding something new if it won’t appeal to your audience.
7. Reduce Page Loading Time
If your site takes forever to load, users will leave and move on to other things even when the website design is beautiful. So you need to reduce the time it takes your site to load.
Note that your images have a huge impact on your loading time. If you notice your page takes time to load, compress large images or use a content delivery network (CDN) to improve loading time.
Takeaway
If people are not spending time on your page, your goal of creating a website will not be achieved. The tips listed above can help you extend the time your visitors spend on your site.
The longer your visitors stay on your site, the higher your chances of converting them into customers.