Decreasing Bounce Rate

[crankydave]

Hey Folks!

I'm hoping for some clever ideas or suggestions.

I have a page which ranks very well for what what it is intended to. It is an informational page that does not specifically attract visitors interested in the site it itself but the information the page contains. The page receives a lot of traffic but as expected, a very high bounce rate.

What I'd like to try and do is entice folks who land on the page to dig a little deeper into the site. Granted, folks who are looking for "bananas" aren't likely to be interested in a site about "screwdrivers" but I like to try just the same.

I'm considering a "Was this helpful?" type link.

Dave

[kgun]

I will propose in order of priority

1. Own videos from you own domain or social sites like YouTube.
2. Embeded videos made by others related to your content.

I think a lot of people here now use YouTube more than Google.

Related WPW link that may give you some input:

http://www.webproworld.com/breakroom...tml#post397214

Generally:

Use socila media to your advantage.

[crankydave]

Thanks kgun.

Here's a hypothetical if it clarifies things a little more...

A site that provides services worldwide that prices their services in US dollars. They provide a page with a currency converter that ranks very well for that and gets a lot of traffic but naturally, unless the visitor happens be interested in their services, the bounce rate is very high.

Dave

[kgun]

IMO, if you ship globally, a currency converter is a natural tool to supply, even if the conversion is low. But there is a tradeoff between traffic, bandwith etc.

Tools that you supply on your site can IMO be very effective. Today the competition is fierce, so your tools need to stand out.

My favourite software platform back to Borland Turbo C++ has always been C++Builder - RAD Visual Development IDE and C++ Compiler

Take a course in C++ and learn Borland C++ Builder.

It is outstanding. I don't know of a more professional platform. Start a C++ group in your neighbourhood.

It is not far from the level that you draw your program and C++ is the "portable assembler" today.

[vwickam]

I really like kgun's idea about posting your own video on that page with some information to drive some of those visitors to convert into customers.

Video is a great media for telling your story. If you can tell your story in 2 minutes or less, and hold your visitor's attention, I think that might help you drive your high bounce visitors to become customers.

Thanks,
Vi Wickam

<Vi... please limit you links to your signature. CD>

[incrediblehelp]

Well does the page offer bananas, if the searcher gets there using the keyword bananas?

[crankydave]

Originally Posted by incrediblehelp

Well does the page offer bananas, if the searcher gets there using the keyword bananas?

It provides exactly the information searcher is searching for. They find the info they were searching for and leave. About 1% navigate beyond that page. The information is a very valuable tool for the site.

Dave

[incrediblehelp]

That is weird Dave. DO you offer a solution as in a conversion that they want. Do you offer the product or service or just merely information on the topic.

The question is why should the searcher click further.

If you want to email me or PM to discuss further I would be happy to look the page over.

[janeth]

Originally Posted by crankydave

It provides exactly the information searcher is searching for. They find the info they were searching for and leave. About 1% navigate beyond that page. The information is a very valuable tool for the site.

Dave

One good thing about a page that is popular is that if people like it they will link to it and from there you can pass the link juice onto the pages you want to pass it to. However, that wasn't the question.

If I have a page about building a house and it gets a lot of traffic I could put a banner ad to a page for a dating site and would most likely get a lot of click throughs because the first site is tailored for men and most men like women. I guess in order to help we would need to know what site A is about and what site B is about. If I had a site about building a house I could have a banner that said so-and-so flower shop wants to help our members out so anyone using this banner gets 30% off flowers that you can send to your wife.

[crankydave]

Thanx Janeth... The page is popular and is why I'm reluctant to tinker with it too much. I have considered monetising the page. Still toying around with the idea.

The hypothetical example I gave is relatively accurate. You have a site that sells a service worldwide and prices everything in US dollars. As a tool for your customers you have a page that provides a currency converter. That page ranks well and gets traffic for that but the site is not at all about currency conversion.

Dave

[janeth]

Originally Posted by crankydave

Thanx Janeth... The page is popular and is why I'm reluctant to tinker with it too much. I have considered monetising the page. Still toying around with the idea.

The hypothetical example I gave is relatively accurate. You have a site that sells a service worldwide and prices everything in US dollars. As a tool for your customers you have a page that provides a currency converter. That page ranks well and gets traffic for that but the site is not at all about currency conversion.

Dave

Have you tried a banner ad?

Give them a reason to go into the site, people interested in converting money are interested in money, therefore if you're selling jewelry they should be interested in the price of gold?

[RichAtVNS]

Originally Posted by crankydave

It provides exactly the information searcher is searching for. They find the info they were searching for and leave. About 1% navigate beyond that page. The information is a very valuable tool for the site.

Dave

I had the same problem with my "TheSource" weekly expert articles on my site http://lowprice4u.com/TheSource/TheSource.asp.

Here's my suggestion and what i do...

1) Make sure logo and info are there so the vistor knows who is providing this good free service/information...

2) Simply added thumbnails with links and descriptions of related products and services to the right hand side of my page where the article is.

3) I also added send this page to a friend button with a description box (note I record everything that is put in the box and use it improve the site).

It will help with the conversion a little, but don't expect a miracle without high correlation you will never make much sales.

But on a positive note you can be building posiitve brand awareness which helps in the long run!!!

[crankydave]

Originally Posted by janeth

Have you tried a banner ad?

Give them a reason to go into the site, people interested in converting money are interested in money, therefore if you're selling jewelry they should be interested in the price of gold?

Thanx again! No not tried any ads. Something I am toying with.

Dave

[crankydave]

Originally Posted by RichAtVNS

I had the same problem with my "TheSource" weekly expert articles on my site Wedding columns, Pedestals and Pillars.

Here's my suggestion and what i do...

1) Make sure logo and info are there so the vistor knows who is providing this good free service/information

Yep.. has been and tracking navigation.

Originally Posted by RichAtVNS

2) Simply added thumbnails with links and descriptions of related products and services to the right hand side of my page where the article is.

Something else I've been working with of late. Thank you for reinforcing the idea.

Originally Posted by RichAtVNS

3) I also added send this page to a friend button with a description box (note I record everything that is put in the box and use it improve the site).

This is not only a excellent point, but a subject for further discussion. FTR... yes, it's there.

Originally Posted by RichAtVNS

But on a positive note you can be building posiitve brand awareness which helps in the long run!!!

Agree. Personally, think this concept will command more interest/awareness going forward.

Dave

[free-bet]

quick idea..

Can you think of a few more words to say about the subject the page discusses?

Assuming so you could pop that on an other page as a "follow on " read.

draw peoples attention to it on your original page.

General idea is you draw them into exploring a little deeper into your site by promising more about what they arrived to read about in the first place.

That second page could be considered a sort of conversion page.

eg a quick extra point about the original subject matter but leading into you stressing the benefits of the other areas of the site.

it should reduce bounce rate by a percentage.

ps Only just a week or so ago since I myself joined up to google analytics and noted the bounce rate info there. One can only presume google will treat more favourably a page with a lower bounce rate..likely one of their 200 ranking criteria.

PPS could someone please confirm that I have grasped correctly what bounce rate is. eg is a bounce .. a page that gets viewed by a viewer ..then they leave the site?

Cheers
Mick

[Andrew Ballenthin]

Originally Posted by crankydave

Hey Folks!

I'm hoping for some clever ideas or suggestions.

I have a page which ranks very well for what what it is intended to. It is an informational page that does not specifically attract visitors interested in the site it itself but the information the page contains. The page receives a lot of traffic but as expected, a very high bounce rate.

What I'd like to try and do is entice folks who land on the page to dig a little deeper into the site. Granted, folks who are looking for "bananas" aren't likely to be interested in a site about "screwdrivers" but I like to try just the same.

I'm considering a "Was this helpful?" type link.

Dave

Hi Dave,

I took a scan through your site. While you have good content the look of the site and the way topics are addressed lack "commercial appeal". What I mean by that is, topics should excite and wow visitors to want to read on and read more. A few tips to consider;

1) Look at other Jewlry sites that have retail stores and an online presence, especially big names. Even though you may be selling religious jewelery, motivations for buying a meaningful keepsake will still be the same with your products as other jewelry keepsakes. Don't get stuck in the trap of "but I'm different".

2) Your home page, 1st half, way too much text. People love to skim and a compelling impression needs to be made in 3 seconds. That much text should be inside a section on the site or at the bottom of the page. Strong headlines, good images, lifestyle images of people with the products will do more to raise curiousity and interest to go deeper if you stir the imagination.

3) Ask yourself why people are buying your products. It appears you provide good relevant information on the jewelry but if you can't get to the heart of why people are buying you'll fall flat on having a great content site, not an online retail shop. I would suggest people buy because of deep religious piety, 'talisman' or protection/benefits the jewelery offers and many more reasons.

4) Get sexy. When looking at your home page products the price is the main point that jumps out. You have a great product and price may be the 2nd or last consideration. Add a few fascinating words on the jewelry, too much space is wasted on a large font saying "click here on image for more details". Chop that down to "Details" and talk about the jewelry.

For example "Gold Ring Rosary" could be, "A special first communion momento and endearing keepsake. Details"

Reply by Andrew Ballenthin, a freelance marketing consultant specializing in branding and growing business through advertising. andrew@solsolutions.ca.

[crankydave]

Thank you all!

Thanx Andrew...

All your points are well taken.

Yes, far too much text on the HP. It's been pointed out to me before and I've been lax about revamping it. The text area, as it is currently is, going to change in favor of featured products/collections. More of a "wow" factor.

Interesting you mention the rosary rings. Very popular item. Actually in the process of designing one that will be completely unique to us.

Dave

[RichAtVNS]

Originally Posted by crankydave

Thank you all!

Thanx Andrew...

All your points are well taken.

Yes, far too much text on the HP. It's been pointed out to me before and I've been lax about revamping it. The text area, as it is currently is, going to change in favor of featured products/collections. More of a "wow" factor.

Interesting you mention the rosary rings. Very popular item. Actually in the process of designing one that will be completely unique to us.

Dave

Just looked at your site and went and drilled down to the Jewish section. Andrew Ballenthin recommended good relevant information to that end I would say Your marketing in the Jewish section is way off.

1) Judiasm by it's tenants does not want overly ornate pieces, so the cleaner the better. Thus the reason for no pictures of people , and the austere clothing by the more zealotous of the followers.
i.e. a straight Muchen David (star of david) will sell better then one with little do hickeys on the corners.

2) two of the best selling designs you do not have
- the chi (which is word life written in Hebrew)
- the palm with eye (which represents the hand of god's all seeing eye)

3) You need to use terminology of your clients. if your selling a Star of David, use the Term "Muchen Daa-vid" drop some yiddish or hebrew in their ... it will go a long way...
By the way the one demographic you will find that differs between Christians and Jewish clientele is the that Jewish Clientele are ingrained to read more and it shows in how they purchase on websites.

I only say this because I was brought up jewish and am now an agnostic who believes in the judeo-ethic... who still has to deal with over 20 jewish cousins plus other relatives .....

[kgun]

Dave are you maximizing (niche) profit? Why not sell jewelry on the main domain and religious on a sub domain?

[crankydave]

Originally Posted by RichAtVNS

Just looked at your site and went and drilled down to the Jewish section. Andrew Ballenthin recommended good relevant information to that end I would say Your marketing in the Jewish section is way off.

1) Judiasm by it's tenants does not want overly ornate pieces, so the cleaner the better. Thus the reason for no pictures of people , and the austere clothing by the more zealotous of the followers.
i.e. a straight Muchen David (star of david) will sell better then one with little do hickeys on the corners.

2) two of the best selling designs you do not have
- the chi (which is word life written in Hebrew)
- the palm with eye (which represents the hand of god's all seeing eye)

3) You need to use terminology of your clients. if your selling a Star of David, use the Term "Muchen Daa-vid" drop some yiddish or hebrew in their ... it will go a long way...
By the way the one demographic you will find that differs between Christians and Jewish clientele is the that Jewish Clientele are ingrained to read more and it shows in how they purchase on websites.

I only say this because I was brought up jewish and am now an agnostic who believes in the judeo-ethic... who still has to deal with over 20 jewish cousins plus other relatives .....

Thank you again. We have the Chai (actually several styles) ... just not on the website. Palm with the eye... I'll check into. Yes, that particular section is way underdeveloped (as are some others). Mostly because of the limited product line currently. Very good points re terminology.

Dave