Your website visitors are proven to have a VERY short attention span. If you are not able to attract them in the first 3 to 5 seconds, then your website is virtually doomed.
However, it does not stop there. After the “initial attraction”, the next few seconds will be crucial to whether they will continue browsing through your site and if they ultimately become a lead.
You also have to be familiar with the term “Bounce Rate”. This term refers to the percentage of user which land on your website and immediately leave without browsing further.
You could have a high number of page views, but if your bounce rate is also high, then it means that something is wrong with your site. Your viewers may not be satisfied with what they initially see or read.
If you want to know your website’s bounce rate, just check the Google Analytics Dashboard and go to Audience Overview. Make sure that you are checking out individual bounce rates by page.
Here are the top 6 reasons why users leave your website
1. Poor web design
Content is important, but having a good website design goes a long way. According to Hubspot, some guidelines for good website design include:
- Simplicity – remove unnecessary design elements
- Hierarchy – the arrangement of your site should be based on the priority elements
- Navigability – browsing through your site should be a no-brainer
- Consistency – uniformity of not only the design and branding but also the overall tone and feel of the site
- Conventionality – use elements which are familiar to people
- Credibility – always be upfront with what you are selling
- User-centricity – take time to gather feedback from users and update based on that feedback
2. Slow loading time
Site speed is an important element of user experience. Always aim to optimise each page as best as you can. This will have a direct effect on your site’s speed. Don’t turn away your visitors because of slow loading time.
It is also important to ensure that your website is hosted by a good and reliable web hosting provider, with a Cloud Delivery Network (CDN) service configured to serve pages and images faster, and an excellent reputation for up-time so that the site is always available.
3. Poor visual content
Good copy is a must, but visual content is also a key to attract your audience.
Good imagery will attract and engage your audience to further explore your site. We are not saying that you should fill your site with videos and images, but add them if and where they are appropriate.
4. Your copy doesn’t hit the target
Your site’s content will impact how search engines will index it, but don’t forget that you are writing for the readers, not just the bots.
Ensure that the information in your site is usable and you have solid content which is relevant, captivating and interesting to back up your keywords.
5. No conversion points
The purpose of your website is not only to be an information source, but of course to drive leads.
The goal of your website is to elicit a response from your users. Highlight your value proposition and at the same time make sure that you have CTA (Call-To-Action) buttons in the right place. These lead users to the destination that you want to take them, and where they need to be to get the most out of their user experience and what you can do for them.
6. Your website is not compatible with mobile and tablet devices
Don’t forget that over half of your traffic comes from mobile searches nowadays. You could have a great website when viewed on a laptop or desktop, but it does not always translate to a good mobile experience. Ensure that your website has a responsive and seamless design regardless of the device it is viewed on.
Keeping your website’s viewers interested and engaged with your content is key to keeping them on your website for longer, and ultimately enticing them to contact you with your irresistible offer. Is it time for an overhaul of your website content?
