Connecting with your Website Visitors

How will visitors interact on your website?

Your first response might be that they don't really need to interact with you, this is not true. Interactivity is the key to engaging your guests in a dialogue, silent or active, that leads them in to taking an action. Thus, it is very important for web users to feel they are making a connection with a website rather than just viewing a static display.

The role of your visitors

The role that your visitors will play depends upon the message and/or product that you are presenting to them. Your visitors may consist of silent guests who are browsing the contents of your website but have no desire to interact with you. Or, they may be active participants who would like to collaborate with you and welcome any opportunity to do so.

No matter if you are selling a product or presenting a message the type of active participation on the part of your visitors will determine the success or failure of your enterprise. You must provide the type of content and structure that will lead your guests to action. In other words, you must strive to elicit a response from the people who are visiting your website. To do this you must give them something that they want.

The silent visitors

For the silent guests you will want to provide quality content. They are visiting for a reason, usually they are seeking information about the subject matter that you are presenting on your website. For this reason it is important that your site content has a focus. Your website should have a clear and steady aim on the subject matter in question. Not only does this help in the placement of your site with the search engines but, it is also the key to attracting a targeted audience to your website.

If you are selling something these people are prospective customers. They may never interact with you on a personal level but, if they like what they see they will buy your product and/or ideas. If you are disseminating information or data then they will probably weigh your credibility and will judge your site based on the content and how it is being presented. Any response from them will be determined by what they perceive to be the core message presented to them by you.

Credibility is the decisive factor for these folk. Trustworthiness is the mark of a successful website. Trust can be earned by you through the presentation of sound logical argument and a clear call to action. Proceed through your content in steps, building toward a conclusion that calls for a definite response. Selling a product requires that you explain to your prospective customer why they should buy it and selling an idea works the same way. Funnel your content from the general to the specific. Start with general information, proceed to a more specific train of thought and finally lead your guest to performing the desired action.

The active visitors

As for the more active visitors to your website you will need to provide a means by which they are free to interact with you. These people are your primary source of feedback. They will offer suggestions, make criticisms and comment on your content. From them you can learn how effectively you are promoting your message. This type of information is golden to a webmaster and should never be underestimated.

This group of eager guests will respond to the same approach used for the silent visitors. They will also question your credibility and it is important that you gain their trust just as you would the less communicative caller. The only difference between silent and active guests is their willingness to correspond with you. Make sure that these people have an avenue through which they can express their views.

You can create an interactive environment in a number of ways: message forums, e-mail lists, surveys, contests, registration and order forms. In other words, anything that allows visitors to connect with you. Also, let them know that you respect their privacy and that all correspondence will be kept in confidence. In time you will develop a dialogue with your active visitors.

Responding to your website visitors

Make sure you respond to e-mail messages from visitors. This will let them know that you value their comments. They will also offer suggestions for improvements or point out things they dislike about your site.Take these messages seriously and act on their suggestions if you feel they have merit. Remember that this is one of the ways that your visitors provide you with feedback. Listen carefully to what they have to say.