Great sites should follow some basic rules to help increase traffic and keep them coming back for more!

1. Break Things Up. Long stretches of text are just too much to bear. Instead break it up with subheadings, images, bold/highlighting, bullets or even split the pages up.
   
   
2. Reinforce Brand Identity. Repetition is key. Use your same logo. Keep your image consistent so there's no confusion.
   
   
3. Simple, Clean Layouts. Although you might think simple is too plain, it is however easy to navigate. Navigation is the number one reason people leave sites.
   
   
4. Keep Consistency. Don't change things from page to page. Keep navigation bars in the same place, keep link colors the same.
   
   
5. Thing Big. Websites are meant to be read online, make it easy on the eyes with big text. Small text is just printed out.
   
   
6. Use Color Tastefully. Although there is no extra cost for color, use color to create a mood and establish your image.
   
   
7. Navigation. Scrolling is a big pet peeve. So have navigation bars on the top and bottom so there isn't a need to go back and forth.
   
   
8. 3-Click Rule. You should be able to get to any place you want (or at least the more popular ones) within three-clicks!
   
   
9. Browser Capability. Download other broswers to see what it looks like in older browser versions, different browsers and different machines (don't forget Mac users).
   
   
10. Update Often. To keep customers coming back for more, change your site often. It doesn't need to be drastic changes, but new main heading or a new graphic.
    
    
11. Hyperlink Within Site. The best way to keep customers on your site longer, is to link to similar items on your site.
    
    
12. Talk to me. Websites can offer interaction by adding polls/surveys, quizzes, message boards, feedback forms or contests/giveaways.