Transform Transform May 2014 | Page 17

Site that have a lot of customization will include heavy code that can slow down your site. Visitors click away from slow websites. Speed is an important factor. Keep your web design and layout simple and make sure your home page loads quickly. Also, don’t force messages on visitors like pop ups of video, ads or voice recordings. It’s perceived as being rude and desperate. Reduce the bounce rate by giving visitors an organic experience where they click and read what they want or what is relevant to them. 4. Keep Content Updated Visitors do not want to see robotic information. They want local market statistics, neighborhood highlights and more so they know what is happening locally. When it comes to generalized information, stick to DIY projects, finance guidelines, real estate news and the like. Your visitors will appreciate photos, text and videos; this cocktail will surely get them inspired. 5. Define Links to the Text Your site should be a gateway to helpful information. Through the use of links on the menu bars, visitors should be able to access relevant content immediately. Add links to content that exists to make sure your page is a portal that connects people to their ideal home. 6. The Power of Video Using video can be a big win! This is because more and more audiences are becoming more enchanted by watching rather than reading online. Who can blame them! Create tasteful videos that give your visitors a real taste of your service and showcases your business. If you optimize your video for the Search Engines, it can bring some good traffic too! 7. Don’t Ignore Social Media will that translate into business? SEO can be overated. Your site must have great useful content and using keywords in a perfect manner does not equal leads. Therefore, why not spend your time making the user experience great rather than obsessing about keywords your visitors will not use? Stay focused on the right priorities! The bottom line is that you want to make the user experience great. Seek to draw people in and keep them coming back. This can only be achieved by delivering on the promise regarding content. With a few tricks highlighted here, you can give your website a new lease on life today. If any web page wants to mature, a social media strategy must be put in place. It is not enough to have a Facebook or Twitter link, go a step further. How to Get the Most Out of Your Website 1. Include full IDX search Share buttons are the quick way to help your content reach more people without hassle. 2. Provide contact forms With this respect, place “share this” buttons strategically after every post so people can share on their favorite social media platforms. It can draw more focus and traffic to your site. 4. Keep content crisp and updated 8. What About SEO? Don’t put SEO (Search Engine Optimization) over your visitor’s experience. Sure, having good keywords will draw people in, but 3. Keep interface clear and avoid automatic pop ups 5. Define the text with links 6. Play the video card 7. Ignore social media to your own peril 8. Do not obsess about search engine optimization 17