Optimizing your website with efficient SEO, link-popularity and directory submission (amongst many other things) can definitely do the job of getting your site to the top of the web search engines, and thus generate large volumes of traffic for you.

But that’s only one side of the coin. The other side is ensuring web users stay on your website, and that those users turn into conversions.

So, how do we go about doing that? Here are two very simple things you can do:

1.Tweak your graphic design
If the web user is not immediately drawn into your site from the moment their browser loads up your page, they will simply move on (and probably never return.) Make sure that your site is visually appealing with creative and adequate web graphics. Design is not all there is, as we’ll see, but it is the tool you need to use in your arsenal to glue visitors to your website from the beginning. Research shows that if people are not grabbed within ten seconds, they intuitively move on. The design of your website, in terms of the visual, is of paramount importance at the initial stage.

2.Make sure your content has value
One of the biggest mistakes many website owners make is they create websites that are brilliantly optimized for search engines but lack any real value to people surfing the web. More than that, they get point 1 above correct and design a breathtaking site, but fail to keep the users on for much longer because the contact of the site is boring, irrelevant or totally lackluster. So, the web user moves on.

Your site needs to add value by having content that will teach the viewer something, uplift them in some way, and – if you’re successful – inspire them to perform the necessary action you desire from them on your site (such as signing up for a newsletter or purchasing your product etc.) You must charm the user. Perhaps the best analogy to use is one we all understand: the relationships between the sexes. While he/she may be beautiful, and even popular; if they aren’t charming enough in their personality, no relationship lasts. You need to approach your website in a similar way.

There are a number of tricks you can use to do this. Blogging is a major way of keeping people interested in your site, and has very much become an industry standard. So, start a blog. If you can’t maintain it, hire a professional writer who can. If you need a design, see the many blog header templates that are available. Second, add an RSS feed to your site, so that people can be constantly up to date with the latest news from your corporation, products, or blog. Lastly, you can even personalize the home page, or add a forum, or add a ’special area’ where only those who have signed up can access.

You need to always ensure your content stays fresh, innovative and up-to-date; this includes your blog. One of the best ways of doing this is hiring a professional freelance writer who can maintain your site for you and always ensure your content is fantastic.

By keeping the above in mind, at all times, you are assured that people will find your website, like your website, and stay on your website; becoming long-standing customers in the end.