Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Top 5 Sticky Ideas for Your Website


The term sticky did seem odd to me first when I started having a closer connection with the web world! I thought, “What does the term sticky have to do with a website?” As I shrugged my shoulders, it was only a matter of a few days when I learnt the importance of this term. Look up on Word Web and one of the definitions would be, “Having the sticky properties of an adhesive.” Rightly so, there are elements that create the same effect for websites. For those who wish to know the other side of ‘stickiness for sites’, can read on for 5 sticky ideas for your websites!
Those who are still perplexed with this term: Stickiness for a website means the user is kept on the page for a longer time. The content and presentation should be embedded in the minds of the users!
Top 5 Sticky Ideas: Interaction is what you need
Many webmasters strive to add the stickiness factor to their websites. What you need here is social interaction on the page. A website that only contains graphics and content may attract users but may not make them return back to the websites. The need thus arises to create a kind of social interaction on the page. Here’s a look at some ideas that will help to bring about social interaction on websites.
Publish Authentic Content
Words and visuals go together. The content for the site should be authentic and appeal to all readers, precision and catchy headlines help!
For example: An article directory site that is interspersed with links is bound to drive away genuine readers. Articles that are published on many sites in one go also tend to put off readers, hence the requirement of authentic content.
Start a Forum
A forum is like a space where users can interact with each other. This peps up the overall look of a website.
For example: A product website that adds forums to its site will ensure that users interact with each other. In this manner, users can discuss the products, recommend stuff and perhaps even suggest areas for improvement.
Include a Poll
Another way to add to the stickiness of the website is to include a poll on the page. This increases the curiosity amongst the users to know what others users feel about the topic.
For example: If you have a news related website, you can highlight important points in the form of polls. By gathering opinions, users will actively participate and will always remain interested in the website.
Allow Special Users to Blog
A blog option helps to add to the stickiness factor. It keeps users on the page, besides, it even gives them the option to contribute and be active with the website.
For example: A fashion website can include a blog section wherein reputed names in the industry can contribute. This will add to the interest factor as fashionistas will enjoy returning back to the site to be up-to-date with the latest trends.
Resource Sharing
Provide a space for users to share, recommend links or share photographs. The idea of photo sharing or link sharing online will increase social interaction amongst users.
For example: A site dedicated to photography can include these options. Avid photographers can share their photographs with users and will spend more time on the web page.
These points listed in random order are only some of the many other points to add the stickiness factor to websites. Watch this space for more information!!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

The Burning Need for Social Interaction


There are many people who always talk about being with the times. There is a need to accept new ideas and be in sync with things happening around us! Pull on a flowered shirt today and you are considered old fashioned! A desktop is no longer the most-sought after commodity with the arrival of laptops.
As we know that tastes change, preferences can change but there are some things that should hopefully never change. (Things that bring about a smile to our face such as sumptuous home-cooked meals or listening to the pitter-patter of the raindrops!)
As the Internet rules our lives, things surely have taken a different turn in the new age. The reason could be to shop, lookup information, bank online, search for a new eat-out, etc. The Internet serves as a medium for our every need. But then, in a fast-paced environment, how connected are we really? Actual interaction between people has reduced visibly, as users resort to social interaction online.
Social interaction is required not only on a personal one-to-one basis, but even online. Net addicts turn to chat to find friends and connect. A website that contains these modes to connect with users is most popular. Social networking sites such as Facebook or Orkut are therefore successful as users sign up to stay connected with old friends or discover new friends! It’s time we embrace the change and equip ourselves in the best possible way!