Websites Could Open Like Blogs and Welcome Visitors

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

In the hundreds of website I visit, I find that where as they may have high degrees of functionality, they lack the welcoming and warmth that prevents a high bounce rate. Potential Customers have entered a search engine query and have lots of choices. If they pick your site, what is to retain them and make them feel they have made a good choice. I feel there should be more of a transition from searching to listening to what you have to say. Most sites have an immediate call to action. Whereas this approach might be too friendly for you, it expresses exactly what I think is too much formality on many sites asking visitors to make life changing decisions. The below welcome is on a residential mortgage blog that at least extends a welcome and tries to discover why the customer has visited.

Welcome to Home Buying Tuesdays!

Are you ready to buy a home, but don’t know where to start? Have questions about specific financing opportunities and programs? Looking to trade up, but aren’t sure about the market?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you’ve come to the right place.

The actual image can be seen at http:homebuyingtuesdays.com

If it were then to follow up with some immediate alternatives of how to get quick anwers to the visitors questions, it would have transitioned into the "take action" stage which is the goal of the site. I think websites should consider adding videos as a welcome, open with an instant chat window, a phone number to call for immediate assistance, or even a "sign up" to get information and a return call.

Establish a connection immediately and let the visitor know you have been waiting for them. You show there is humanity behind the technology, efficiency, and competence. They are concerned about who is behind the promises that are being made.