This post was guest blogged by Alan Johnson, who teaches you how to build a profitable website in 10 days over at The Rating Blog
After having covered the top 7 reasons why I may forget about your website with my previous guest post, it’s time to analyze things from an entirely different perspective and look into the top 7 reasons thanks to which I may just remember what your website is all about:
1 – A catchy URL
If you are creative when it comes to choosing your domain name, people will definitely give you credit for that and, as such, remember that you’re out there. No, you don’t have to spend over 5 figures in order to buy a great domain name, you just have to be creative, with del.icio.us being one of the best examples.
2 – An interesting concept, something which makes your website unique
Aside from the URL, you can also increase your chances at having me remember your website by having an interesting concept, something which makes your it stand out compared to all of the similar resources out there, something which makes it unique.
3 – A great design
The importance of your design should never be underestimated and even if, sure, a lot of websites with a less than impressive design have been successful, that doesn’t mean that this aspect should be neglected. If you have a great design, one people will admire, you can be certain that they may just remember your website thanks to it as well.
4 – An absolutely awful design
As a webmaster, I have to admit: if I see a website with a horrible design and I mean absolutely awful, I tend to remember it. Of course, I won’t exactly be thrilled to return but why not, you could gain your share of “how not to” links as a result of such an approach.
5 – Quality content
If your content is worth it, if it provides value to me as the visitor and if going through what your website has to offer in terms of information is time well spent on my part, I will definitely appreciate that and, as such, will remember it and even consider following your resource on a regular basis.
6 – Frequent updates
As previously stated: if you provide value, I will be tempted to return. And if you manage to provide value on a regular basis, then, you’ve guessed it: I will definitely want to drop by on a regular basis as well. In the end, no matter how much time we were to spend searching for shortcuts, providing value is the name of the game, and things are not about to change anytime soon.
7 – An important achievement
If, as a webmaster, you have had at the very least one important achievement, then you can rest assured that people will indeed remember and, in most cases, associate it with your website as well as with your brand as a webmaster. If you have done something remarkable then I will definitely give you credit and, of course, remember your website as a result.
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I do agree with number 3, but its hard to determine the level of design needed because for instance, look at digg, it has a simple theme and its still huge.
Who says that simple can’t be aesthetic? Google still wins my vote for best design.
That is what I think every time when I see a design “simplicity” that is what I prefer but unfortunetly some people (and most of them) prefer some fancy design
If the fancy some how interrupts the “user friendly” look and surfing then yeah i would avoid fancy designs all the time. But some times the design can play a big role in business, its like the mirror of how serious you are (which not always has to be true).
I am a fan of simple yet elegant designs.. Google is a good example, but you have to understand not all sites can contain a search bar
Though i do like the wordpress.org site because of its simplicity.
i remember your website coz you are the Guru of internet marketing…
I think Digg has a great design theme.
Some good points Alan.
I do agree with Reed a simple website can be just as effective. I would rather go to a simple site with good content that loads fast that a heavly designed one that takes a century to load.
That’s right,…… It should load quick in the first point, then comes the look (design) that will help a lot in attracting the visitor to stay and (take a look) read what you have,…then if your content was worth he/she will remember your site and sure be back again for more
Some people prefer that.
it really depends on your internet connection if you are running on a 56k you might as well quit visiting these big sites.
I agree, I enjoy simplicity.
My design is pretty simple, as well as, my header that I just had done. I try to update everyday unless I have absolutely nothing to say. My url & title are okay but nothing to brag about.
If someone’s content doesn’t grab me within the first paragraphy, they have lost me. I do try to subscribe to people for a week or so and if nothing good is produced, I dump them.
I think one paragraph is not enough. I always read entire page on a blog and after thad I do/don’t subscribe or keep coming.
yup same here … this is a good strategy in my opinion as sometimes even John Chow have bad posts
Great post. Haha @ #4. But I disagree with it. If I see an awful design, I tend to just leave immediately and hope I’ll never come across it again.
I have to agree with you on the #4 things lols..if that design super darn awful or pathetic i will never ever come across it again. I swear lols!
Great post! #4 was really funny. But not #3 entirely. I would rather go to a simple site that loads fast than one at takes a century to load but looks good.
Similar to what Jason said.
Have you seen some great site like TechChurch and GigaOm, they look very simple and this jack is giving Design too much weight, ohh come on alan.
Haha, Yes i laughed at #4 too. however, he does have a point there. Thanks for the list though by the way, it was really helpful to me seeing as i know almost next to nothing about this kind of thing.
http://robinhaney.blogspot.com/
nice post i really enjoyed the list. Haha # 4 was funny.
Fun little post to read. I think design and unique content is the most important.
I agree with Alan on this one. The concept here is to keep your visitor happy and interested in reading again and again. If you blind them with your bad url form, concept, design, content and/or frequency you won’t see them again. How does it go “one person having a bad experience=telling Twenty more about it and so on” I can’t remember exactly how it’s put but you get my drift.
I tried to select a brand name and url that was different and unusual, descriptive, and also brandable. Designs are always quite subjective but a good design should be easy to read, eye catching, and not offensive in any way.
Quality content takes a lot of time to develop, but is always worth it.
Quality should be a requirement for any website. Unless quality concept or quality content can be recreated, the blog/website shouldn’t be started.
It’s extremely hard to attract someone with a design that’s too simple. Maybe the word we should use is “elegant” instead of simple because if you have great content with the Google kinda simple, you will probably lose many people who drop by because the design didn’t get them to come look further.
i want to know you
I agree with the simple design. Last thing I want to do is squint my eyes looking at someone’s content or be barraged with pointless images.
Right now I have my game blog up but went for a really clean design so people go after my content instead of getting lost.
MarkyX
Great post! Having just started a blog of my own I really looking forward to read posts like this to improve my blog!
So are you saying #4 is a valid marketing strategy? I’d hardly agree with that one.
Quality content they will come back!!
Quality content and frequent update is very important because readers will prefer to read blog that has quality content and is updated.
#4 – I have to disagree. And the rest of the points…borderline obvious. I have read interesting posts from Alan and this one is not one of them.
Ditto, finally someone that agrees with me. Not one of his better ones.
oo i agree with you as well
Design: Good design doesn’t mean to have lots of heavy graphic design site. I believe the best site or blog design is to have a very neat and intuitive layout design. Simplest and not messy Like some other site that transformed as a billboard Blog.
Content is still the king! so come up with a great content and tips, people will surely come back to your blog. Target the beginners or the dummies…and you will claim your own place as one of the most
popular bloggers around the net.
You’re right, I agree your points. But, I think everyone has his/her own criteria for an awful design. For me, the simplest design is the better because I can access it rapidly than the complicated one. JohnChow.com is one example that I should took some couple minutes to open.
i need to start making some really awful designs now.
Yeah, I would pay you 4 making me “The most awful WP Theme”
Good post there John
Was atleast a bit better than the previous post related to why i forgot the website.
Yeah you just always have awesome designs, time to change the trend lol
haha chetan
if i continue that no one else will download my free wp or phpLD themes lol.
A simple website can be just as effective. I would rather go to a simple site that loads fast that a heavly designed one that takes a century to load.
Well designed and interesting does not have to translate into increased load times. In fact, a *good* design could be defined as something that balances function and form in a interesting and/memorable fashion.
Good pointers. How many people will visit a poorly designed site if the content is great and regularly updated? I’m guessing you will at least need a little bit of both.
That is right good design and content is important.
I may remember an awful design, but I might not go back to them
Good list though.
yeah perhaps this should be added to the blog post john saying (John Chow edit) because alot of beginners might consider this coming from John Chow a really good advice and follow it and if they don’t succeed they will say john chow sux … just a thought
SAD to see Quality Contents at Number 5, Its should have been at Number three at least Alan.
I agree that an awful design might be memorable, but I wouldn’t encourage it. Some sites out there have succeeded despite, but I think they are flukes.
I think good branding can also be added to the list…that’s one thing we’ve tried to make stand out and unique. Would love to know what folks think of my website, send me some feedback!! (click on my name to check it out, don’t want to be blatant here)
Thanks John for a great list!
Listie the Listasaurus
I think a short domain name is key. People don’t remember long-winded domain names like howtomakemoneyonline.com. Short domain names with easy-to-remember words are more catchy.
While I definitely agree that short, brandable domains are more catchy, people *will* remember longer domains that have obvious spellings and are intuitive. HowToMakeMoneyOnline.Com, while a bit long for my tastes, is a decent, memorable domain.
Really Helpfull post for newbie
A small amount of advertisement is necessary – no matter how good your website is. The amount of ad required is inversly proportional to the quality of the website.
I took a entire week to come up with my blog’s domain name. Although I didn’t end up using any of the ones I came up with using them, I recommend using an online thesaurus or english to latin/greek/etc translator to come up with a short domain name that isn’t already taken.
I am trying to come up with an interesting name for my blog. I have an idea, but I’m not so sure… Do you think it is good to put “tnx” instead of “thanks” to URL?
I mentioned previously how Google.com ‘s main page is about as plain as you can get, so it depends on what your site is about when it comes to design. Of course if it is a blog type site, making it look nice so your visitors eyes don’t hurt when they are trying to read your posts is important.
The JohnChow.com domain name is easy to remember but I definately come back for the content.
~Terry
I agree with you that a great design is very important and must be in your mind all the time, but I never forget how a website like PlentyOfFish.com can be so succesful though their design is very poor regarding my opinion!
True, but PlentyOfFish.Com was created at a time when design was less important, specifically for a site that was and is free. Times have changed.
krsto, I don’t think that would be a good idea. Too easy to forget.
Although you repeat certain things a lot, I like how every time you put it in a new perspective. Great post, just like the rest of yours seemingly are… You are very knowledgeable, and I salute you to your many accomplishments!
http://www.TalkPrice.net
I’m working on #7, but so far the best I have been able to come up with is being able to eat my weight in beef jerkey over a 24 hr period.
Some great points for every blogger to remember–if they want many return readers, that is!
Thanks for sharing them!
Jeanne
Yeah, The best website is The Fastest Loading but mine not either..hehe
I love beef jerkey. There is something so addictive about it. It’s great for road trips. You can eat all you want, and keep the carbs out.
My Site Answers All 8 Reasons ( The eights one is that it is mine…)
Hi there and thanks for your comments, and regarding #4: while I will, in most cases, remember an awful design, I won’t exactly be tempted to return
Best wishes,
Alan Johnson
Yeah, updates and achievements, these are the keywords. Frequent posting, showcasing your earnings, financial or not, and experimenting. Lots of it.