Why Don't People Stay on My Website?

Do you find yourself thinking, "Why isn't my website being fully used by my target audience? They get to the front page and then they leave. Why?"

Well there are some major reason people don't stay. It might not be evident to you, but trends say here are the biggest reasons you may need a new website:

• Auto sound/video - This will turn me off faster than almost anything else. People want to view your site privately and silently - especially if they work in an office with an open floor plan. Remember, the fastest way to shut off music or videos that play on their own is to navigate away or to close the browser.

• Popups and pop-unders - When I open a website and popups automatically start appearing, I think "spam," "spyware" and "virus" and I'm out of there, never to return.

• Slow load times - Don't load your website down with large images and videos that make the website load slowly, because I'm not the only visitor who will not wait for the page to load. If a video is fabulous, but no one ever sees it, does it matter that it's fabulous?

• Bad navigation - Navigation needs to be intuitive, descriptive and straightforward. 

• Poorly planned sites - When I'm looking for information online, I just want to be able to find the answer. If I can't find the answers easily  and quickly on your site then I will look elsewhere. This is where optimization and testing comes in.

• Immediate Registration - I understand why you want to capture contact information but trying to get it before a visitor has a chance to figure out who you are or what you do probably isn't working for you. Remember, timing is everything. 

• Too much flashing, scrolling or shifting text or images - Yes, it can grab the attention, but not in a good way. It smacks of desperation and attention seeking, and is incredibly annoying. 

• Typos - Typographical errors and poor grammar tell visitors that you do not take your time, you do not proof for errors, and your quality control is poor. Look at your site from a visitor's point of view and ask yourself, honestly, if you'd trust the product or service this company is providing? 

• Left-aligned or narrow sites - These types of layouts scream "I'm Old!" "I'm outdated!" They don't feel or look natural or easy to use, and I don't trust that they're going to have current information.

• Cookie cutter websites - Your site looks just like everyone else's. No one want to be known as a copy cat. Get a unique site for your company.

• Cobwebs - When I find that your most recent "news" or blogs have really outdated dates, I won’t hang around for long. 

• No Point - Make a plan for your site. Have a sitemap. Be descriptive, meaningful, plain. Tell your visitors who you are and what you do. People will thank you for it.

• Eliminate jargon - This tends to confuse people and make them run. It's like greeting everyone with a secret handshake whether they know it or not.  

• Browser issues - If you have a good developer, they will test your site. If it does not work across browser platforms, people will run. 

• Flash - It won't work with most mobile devices and their browsers. Since more and more people are connecting away from a desk, this will eliminate larger and larger segments of your audience. Enough said? 

• Boring - Some sites have no personality, seriously, they are dull. Don't be that site. If your company branding has personality, use it. Have fun. People will appreciate it.

Basically your online personality or brand is very important. Just like your physical presence, your website has first impression opportunities. Make those first impressions good, unique, and positively memorable, and your website will be used and loved by your clients.

I hope these marketing tips make your campaigns more effective.
If you have any questions, Penguin Suits. We are Your Marketing Department and we are here to help.
Debi Lamb-Burrows
830.816.8238
www.penguinsuits.com