Keys to a Successful Web Site

A successful web site is built upon three simple pillars. Although they are simple, they still require a lot of effort to attain.

The first and most important pillar is quality content. "Content is King," a well-known phrase among web designers, means you have to provide something of value to your visitor. The internet is still primarily about information. The visitor must receive something they need or want, or they won't come back.

If you want your visitors to keep coming back, you must update the content of your site. You can do this by frequently adding information. An easy way to do this is to use a weblog or content management system.

Second, a site that visitors will keep visiting must be interactive. Time-tested features include site search engines, polling scripts, message boards, and chat rooms. More sites are beginning to include the option for the individual user to personalize their experience on the site. If you offer some of these features, you are more likely to have repeat visitors than if you do not.

The third pillar is navigation. If your visitors can't find what they are looking for, they will leave. Every page should have the main links on it so visitors feel they can get closer to what they are seeking. And no page should be more than three clicks away.

That's it! If you offer quality, updated content, interactivity, and intuitive navigation, your visitors will keep coming back. Here's the recipe for a successful web site:

• Draw in your visitors (link popularity, testimonials)
• Keep their attention (content, interactivity, navigation)
• Sell, sell, sell!