An ongoing challenge for webmasters today is to provide fresh content that gives visitors a reason to return to their site. Unless you have a full-time staff dedicated to creating regular content, the time involved can be crippling.
Wouldn't it be great if someone else would write timely, relevant content for you? Sure, but what are the odds of that happening? Well, many webmasters are already enjoying this phenomenon, and I'm happy to count myself among them.
Set it up.
Whether your site has a catalog of products or a collection of articles, you can design your pages to allow visitors to post reviews of whatever is featured on the page. They can share their experiences with items they've bought or post comments on the information in your site. Don't confuse this powerful tool with a discussion forum. You create the topic of each page, and encourage visitors to post updates with the latest information in this area.
The more information you provide on your site, the better service you are providing to your visitors; but they aren't the only ones who benefit from including reviews. It's also a boon to you as a webmaster. Even if you never wrote another line of new copy, your pages will continue to grow with relevant content. Granted you still have to spend a little time reading the reviews and moderating what appears on your site, but the time required is much less than you would spend writing original content.
Why someone else will create content for you.
While the advantages to the webmaster and reader may be obvious, you are probably wondering what incentives exist for the reviewer. A few lucky souls have enough free time to share their opinions online for the mere satisfaction of seeing their own words, but most will need something more tangible before they invest the time to write a useful review. The onus is on you, the webmaster, to create an appropriate incentive. The importance of link popularity in search engine rankings provides a powerful clue. At AffiliateScreen.com, I allow my visitors to post reviews of their experiences with online affiliate programs. At the bottom of their review, they have the option of including a link to another page that supports what they've written (or they can simply include their affiliate link for the program). AffiliateScreen.com gives them the additional credibility of their expertise appearing on a third-party site.
Look at this from the reviewer's perspective. Here's a unique opportunity to gain an external link pointing to the reviewer's website, but this is far more valuable than a random reciprocal link. Search engines are determining link popularity by examining both the quantity and relevance of links. The page with their link is loaded with keywords related to the product or service, and the reviewer can include additional relevant keywords in their post. The reviewer actually has a hand in creating the page that will link to their site. This is extremely powerful! Can you begin to see how anyone looking to increase traffic to their site would jump at the opportunity to create content for your website?
Now you may have some concerns that allowing anyone to add content and links to your site is inviting your competitors to steal your traffic. If your site has detailed reviews of products on your site, anyone who leaves your site to visit a competitor won't spend much time there before realizing that your site has useful, original content that they can't find anywhere else. If that doesn't put your mind at ease, though, there's nothing to stop you from including a disclaimer when someone submits a review. Explain in this disclaimer that direct references to your competitors will be removed to keep the reviews informative and to avoid marketing hype. You are the webmaster, after all.
You can draw even more traffic by allowing visitors to rate the usefulness of each review. Many reviewers will encourage people to visit your site so they can read and rate the review. More important than just being a gimmick to increase traffic, rating reviews allows you to sort them by quality and expose your average visitors to the best possible content first.
Promote it!
Once you've got the code in place, it's important to publicize this new feature of your website. If you have experience or know someone with experience writing press releases, you may be able to garner attention from news and niche media. Another highly effective form of publicity is to mention the new feature above the fold on the main page of your site.
If you have a newsletter, promote the review process in your next issue. In fact, as you begin to accumulate reviews, they can serve as great additional content for your newsletter. Simply include the best reviews in each issue. As with the reviews on your website, you are providing valuable content for your audience, giving your reviewer great exposure, and saving time for yourself. It's a win-win-win situation.
About The Author
Copyright (c) 2003-2004 Clay Mabbitt.
Clay Mabbitt writes articles about online income opportunities. He is the founder of a community of Internet entrepreneurs sharing knowledge and experience at http://www.affiliatescreen.com
Let me repeat that.."The technology may change, but human nature... Read More
1. Who needs an artists website?Not everyone! If you are... Read More
This may comes as a surprise to you but, if... Read More
While few companies can boast as we do that our... Read More
Everybody talks about the importance of testing your sales copy... Read More
What dollar amount does your web site contribute to this... Read More
If you have a business, big or small you may... Read More
Here's a really simple way... any novice can create a... Read More
To create professional websites is not an easy task by... Read More
There are plenty of web sites out there in which... Read More
In my web surfing adventures, I've found a few site... Read More
Web sites that feature products ? especially furniture or other... Read More
For most people graphic design does not come easy. Unfortunately... Read More
If you are going to be placing ads on your... Read More
Colors convey emotions and emotions heavily influence the decision-making process.... Read More
You've designed your logo, and you're ready to print your... Read More
Designing your website means you have to be creative, plan... Read More
Everyday we hear that another company goes out of business.When... Read More
In today's age of fast food and high-speed Internet, a... Read More
Are you using the best colors for your web site?... Read More
Surfing the internet is basically an information-fest! From intellectual discussions... Read More
If you are anything like me, your website is a... Read More
I can't figure out people who have products or information... Read More
How many of the visitors to your web site take... Read More
Writing for your web site is not the same as... Read More
"It's good.""You've done a nice job.""I don't like it."At some... Read More
Contrary to the beliefs of some, advertising for web and... Read More
This is the second part of a two-part article about... Read More
Does your website make a good first impression? Is the... Read More
All websites have a homepage. It is the most important... Read More
Persons engaged in website design, here's a scoop for you!... Read More
Not too long ago while looking for businesses that do... Read More
QUESTION: We promote our web site in all our... Read More
Internet Explorer, created by microsoft has been the most popular... Read More
Your website is your tool for showing the online community... Read More
One of the single most important aspects of effective navigation... Read More
Let's face it. Buying products and services from the Internet... Read More
Part one of this article is available at ... Read More
Let's look at what your user wants to see at... Read More
So you've decided to take the plunge. You know that... Read More
A long, long time ago? In a galaxy far, far... Read More
FACT: 30 to 60% of visitors tend to drop off... Read More
Most people will agree there is nothing more annoying than... Read More
Using CGI scripts to add automation to your web site... Read More
1. Use .gifs rather than .jpgs. GIFs are smaller in... Read More
What dollar amount does your web site contribute to this... Read More
Many websites make the mistake of being all flash and... Read More
Content is king. Without content your website is an empty... Read More
QUESTION: We promote our web site in all our... Read More
To build a website, there are four methods to choose... Read More
When you start building your online business and search for... Read More
One of the simplest things you can do to give... Read More
If you are one of those who wonder how people... Read More
Q: Should I build and maintain my business Web site... Read More
With an increasing number of employment portals emerging, it is... Read More
~A man [woman] is a success if he [she] gets... Read More
Did you know that many folks make "buying decisions" when... Read More
Customers will form an opinion of your business as soon... Read More
Countdown to Armageddon - at least you'd think so judging... Read More
Writing for your web site is not the same as... Read More
A highly effective website will always reflect its highly effective... Read More
To explain my point I need to first confuse the... Read More
Then it was a choice among crayons, paints and palettes... Read More
Building a website can be overwhelming, here are some design... Read More
Sin #5Poor Spelling And GrammarWe all make mistakes when we... Read More
In retailing there is a saying that sales are made... Read More
Web Design |