1) Provide methods of site/visitor interactivity

Make the visitor feel as though they are actively being engaged by the site so that personalization is an assumed benefit of the site in the mind of the visitor, and is built upon with each successive return. Provide things like chat client programs, signature chat/shout boxes, forums or other discussion platforms. Also, remember to provide a direct contact mechanism like a live help type of module (that registers as on when you’re on the site) so that there is no question in the visitors’ mind as to if they can get help if they’re stuck.  It’s also an invaluable tool for real-time tracking of visitor trends as relating to your websites’ usage.

2) Provide a personalized profile for visitor identification

By giving visitors an open portal to the personal goings-on of the website owner in the day-to-day operational management, visitors both see what it is that is done to maintain the website as well as forge an empathic bond and there is a reinforcement of the overall trust index in the mind of that visitor.

3) Provide opinion-based participation measurement

Polls and surveys are two great ways to help gauge what the target market audience is doing/thinking in regard to purchasing trends and consumer needs/desires index.  Publish the results of those highly relevant to the target audience in order to keep them interested and feeling as if they are able to contribute to the upkeep of the website.

4) Provide challenging (and enjoyable) entertainment

Puzzles, quizzes, and games all are ways to harness the procrastination factor inherent in time spent online. If the entertainment is seen as interesting and/or addictively engaging, this increases the potential for return visitation (as well as accentuated word-of-mouth). To even add to the urgency of return, construct a competitive, time-based event with a coveted prize to be won at the end and add incentive for effective event promotion.

5) UPDATE CONSTANTLY WITH NEW CONTENT

Easier said than done as a webmaster when other offline commitments and responsibilities often overshadow the needs of digital enterprises. This area requires constant action in order to be accomplished even semi-regularly. The most pressing incentive to keep disciplined regularity is to think about how much profit there is to be gained by sticking to a pre-conceived plan of action and completing the necessary work required to attract and sustain a target audience and  help them become comfortable in not only becoming customers, but ensuring the long-term survival and success of the website. It’s recommended that any changes be applied after no later than 2-6 weeks.