Build a Page for New Readers
13. Mar, 2008 
5 Comments - Leave your comment
Michael from Pro Blog Design writes:
New and returning are two very different types of visitor to a blog. One has been here before and knows the drill; the other is still wondering if they’re even in the right place.
Michael goes on to say that there are some differences between what a new reader expects, and what an established reader expects. The important thing is how to tell them apart and to know what each one wants.
With the upcoming re-design of RA Project, one of the things I’ve had to think about is what will a new visitor want. Michael points out that the home page is not the place to try to attract new visitors. He recommends building an entirely separate page that is geared specifically towards those new readers. The benefit is that established readers can skip getting the “new guy” experience every time they access the website.
Things to Have On Your New-Reader Page
Here are some things I think a new reader page should have in addition to the points Michael has brought up in his post.
- Who are the authors?
Many times I click on the “About Us” page and only see a blurb about only the blog. I also want to know about the authors too. We’re guilty of this here at RA Project, but I will definitely try to change this for the up-coming re-design.
- What’s popular?
What do the existing readers like?
- Frequently asked questions.
Many people have asked me what reader appreciation is, and sometimes it’s hard to give someone new to blogging a good answer. Perhaps you receive questions that new visitors constantly ask.
- Contact mechanisms.
A new reader may want to contact you. Have contact information readily available.
- Downloads and freebies.
Sometimes readers just come for the perks and leave.
Promoting Your New Reader Page
Michael recommends that after constructing this page, you should promote it for the new readers. Here are some places I think you can promote your “new reader” page.
- Near your subscribe links.
If you have a page describing what a feed subscription is, you can also promote your “new reader” page here as well.
- On your contact and about page.
- Above your Sitemap
If I go to a sitemap, I’m usually looking for the topics a blogger writes about. This is also a good place to capture those new readers.
Conclusion
I recommend giving Michael’s posts a look because they are a great resource for capturing those new readers. They also give pointers for how to tell those new readers and established readers apart.
- The Most Important Distinction Between Your Readers – Part 1 of 2
- Building a Page for First-Timers – Part 2
Other RA Project Articles
Author Info
I’d never thought of it, but it’s a great idea. (Much better than the ultra-annoying “it looks like you’re new here, please subscribe to my RSS feed” thing that everyone seems to have at the moment too!)
I’m glad you liked the idea Ronald, and thanks for sharing it with your readers as well.
Your additions are all great ideas, especially the multi-author one. I hadn’t thought of that at all.
I’ve added a link from my list of ideas for the page to here now, so that readers can make the best page possible for themselves.
@Sue,
I don’t like that “are you new here” either, but it is a good way to build subscribers. The thing I’ll probably do is do something at the end of the post saying, “Like this post?” and then go from there.
@Michael,
Thanks for writing such a good series. Really thought-provoking and I will definitely implement your ideas soon.