10 ways to delight your site visitors

10 ways to delight site visitors

Just like the Universe, there’s an ever expanding number of websites on the Internet. With all of the competition, it’s important to find simple ways to surprise and engage your visitors, so that they continue to visit again and again.

Have you ever visited a website that just made you feel great? What were the features of that website that addicted you?

A lot of people think content is the most important part of a website. That may be true, but it’s also true that no one wants to read a textbook over the Internet. Even if your information is valuable, readers won’t like being on your site because it’s no fun. And eventually, they’ll find a site that combines information with fun. Don’t let them leave! Here’s how to delight your readers into loyalty:

---

1. Good User Interface

A good user interface should be exalted above everything else when it comes to web design. You want your website to be understandable and easy to navigate. But what’s easy for one demographic is not for another, so you’ll have to think of your audience before deciding on the perfect user interface.

For starters, consider your navigation icons. Will your audience understand what the icon links to without clicking on it first. A perfect example of this is the magnifying glass icon for search. Most users understand that icon will take them to a search box. However, if you get cute and put a icon that depicts a mountain there instead, it decreases your site’s usability.

Remember, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel-- just tweak it. Spend time finding, or creating, an icon set that matches your design aesthetic.

---

2. Get Intuitive

Also connected to user interface is intuitive design. You should anticipate your visitor’s actions on your website and create a design that almost reads their minds. This is where understanding your visitor is crucial. But there’s simple ways, and even plugins, that help you do this easily.

An example: link to related topics in the body of your posts. Don’t just wait until the end of the post. If I’m discussing where to buy WordPress themes, I can casually add that link so that if you’re interested, you can find out more about it. You can’t rely on visitors to search your site for related topics, but you can rely on them to click on links that you graciously present in front of them.

---

3. Delightful Microcopy

Ever heard of microcopy? It’s the text inside of form fields and what pops up when you enter in an incorrect password. Did you know that you can change those fields to say whatever you want? You should definitely take this opportunity to add playfulness to your site.

Examples: instead of saying “Your email message,” write something like, “We can’t wait to hear from you” or, “Ain’t nobody got time for spam.” Choose something that will charm your audience.

---

4. Start Here

A start here page is your opportunity to lead your visitor to your best stuff. You should link to the most popular pages in your site. If you have series or categories, here’s the place to organize and present them in an easy to digest format. Also take time on this start here page to tell a little bit about you or your website, such as who you are or why your site was created. Add a Start Here button on your navigation menu bar.

---

5. Videos

Videos are always welcomed, specifically ones that are helpful to the intended audience. If you have tutorials, do include written instructions, but don’t neglect adding videos for visual learners.

Videos are also a fine choice for other types of posts, such as travelogues where you can expand on your written text.

---

6. Podcasts

Podcasts are picking up steam these days. You don’t have to be a radio talkshow host or a comedian to host a podcast. You can interview key influencers in your industry and add a podcast for your site visitors to listen to while they’re at the gym or in the car running errands. Who said you’re limited to just your website?

---

7. Add Personal Photos

There’s something cold and distant about a website without a personal photo. You should always include an image of you, or your team, on your site. People like to make connections, and the best way to do that on the Internet is by adding an actual image of you so that visitors can judge you. Just joking. Actually, a photo just makes you more real in the visitor’s mind.

---

8. Blog in a Real Voice

Back to the textbook example, you don’t want visitors reading stale, boring, monotone copy on your site. That’s one surefire way of losing your audience. Instead, talk through your blogs like you would when you’re talking to a person. Imagine that you’re speaking directly to that person as you’re trying. If it’s easier, there’s lots of dictation devices that you can use. It will convert your speech to text. Dragon Naturally Speaking has been around for ages, and is still one of the best in the game.

---

9. Animate

There’s no cheaper way to delight users will a little animation. It brings out the child in all of us. Animate your menu functions, or add surprise easter eggs in your design that animation with a mouse hover. Remember little is often more with animation, too much happening will often distract your audience. Site visitors will enjoy the small details that add lots of character to your site.

---

10. Personalize Your 404 Page

Hopefully rare, but there will be times when a visitor lands on a 404 Error page. Instead of wishing upon a star that they click through to your home page, use this opportunity to navigate them to your most popular links.

The Bottom Line

Remember that an initial impression is often the lasting impression, so get started creating an awesome experience for your visitors.

---

Share:

Tags:

web