Boring Headlines = Lost Visitors

It's true, if your Web site's headlines are dull then you can be assured that you will lose many visitors' attention and they will eventually leave - usually right away. As I mentioned in my previous post, visitors quickly scan the page to find the elements that stick out the most, and headlines are probably the first they look at. If these headlines are not compelling, the visitor will most likely not be motivated enough to read on.

Here are some tips to make sure your headlines have punch:

• Be bold and compelling - make sure that they grab your visitor's attention ASAP.

• Include keywords that your target audience is mostly likely to use while searching for your site.

• Be clear and concise.

• Write them with the target audience's needs in mind, not yours.

Always keep your target audience's needs in mind when writing headlines and other content. It's helpful to make up personas (fictitious people that represent your target audience) when planning out the Web site. They help to keep you on track.