Getting users attention.

[iisman]

I am requesting some input/opinion on one small thing...

I have a website (which I will leave out at this point, to keep responses pure and unbiased) wich has a small, but loyal, base meaning that the small group who use it, use it often. There has been only one main section to this site up till now, when a second, equally as important section is being added.

The "flow" is that you hit the main page, and there was an image/link that took you to the section. I want to encourage users to check out the new section.

What do you all recommend for getting their attention (both on the main page, and on the original section's main page) I don't want to use any gimmics like blinking text or anything like that.

Just looking for some input, or wondering if anyone knows of anything that has worked for this in the past.

 

[manarth]

It's a careful balance between attracting your users attention, and alienating them with intrusive advertising.

I'd suggest an advertising box:

<div class="advert">
  [COLOR=red]<h2>[/color]New feature![COLOR=red]</h2>[/color] [COLOR=green]<!-- use an appropriate heading level for your site -->[/color]
  <p>We now offer <a href="#">spangly widgets</a>.</p>
</div>

I'd suggest this was positioned in the top-right of the content area, eg:
[tt]
|---------------------------|
| page head |
|---------------------------|
| menu | content area [ad]|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|---------------------------|[/tt]
It does depend on how your site is designed.

<marc>
New to Tek-Tips? Get better answers - faq581-3339

 

[iisman]

Thanks for the input.

That just may work.

The site is layed out in such a way that could accommodate that. The page has a minimalist look to it, so anything would really show up.

What do you think of an idea I had...Basically, pushing the content down a few lines, and adding a few lines of text with a link showcasing the new section. I think the text would be the same color and size as the rest of the content, and perhaps wrapped with a div that has a 1px border the same color as the text.

|---------------------------|
| page head |
|---------------------------|
|...insert 2 lines here |
|---------------------------|
| menu | content area |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|---------------------------|

 

[Wullie]

If it is really important that they see this other section, another thing you could consider is adding a middle page that they hit automatically when clicking on the first section link, then they have 2 options on that page, either proceed to the first section or view the second.

Hope this helps

Wullie

Fresh Look - Quality Coldfusion/Windows Hosting

The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails. - John Maxwell

 

[iisman]

Wullie,

I have that initial landing page, which will have the two options...esentially a "fork in the road", but the problem I have found is that the true homepage is not often landing page.

I have tracked and found that over 50% have bookmarked section 1, go there automatically, hence, my wish to include some sort of messaging in that section.

 

[manarth]

[tt]
|---------------------------|
| page head |
|---------------------------|
|...insert 2 lines here |
|---------------------------|
| menu | content area |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|---------------------------|[/tt]

Given that your loyal users are regular users of the site, it's likely their eyes will automatically look for the content area - missing the advert. (I did some work in eye-tracking on web sites - it's surprising how effective users are at ignoring adverts, and focusing purely on the content area).

Rather than just below the page header, you could insert it at the start of the content:
[tt]
|---------------------------|
| page head |
|---------------------------|
| menu | main heading |
| | two lines of text |
| | main content |
| | |
| | |
|---------------------------|
[/tt]
It doesn't alter the page layout that your users are accustomed to, and is directly in the path that their eyes would normally take.

<marc>
New to Tek-Tips? Get better answers - faq581-3339

 

[iisman]

Thanks everyone for the input. I think I will go with something similar to this one:

|---------------------------|
| page head |
|---------------------------|
| menu | main heading |
| | two lines of text |
| | main content |
| | |
| | |
|---------------------------|

I will track and report back with results if I find anything significant.

Thanks again for the input

 

[coachdan]

If your using a menu include or a separate menu page, why not add it to that part of your web. If it is included on all pages, your visibility problem is solved.

coachdan32

http://www.malehsbaseball.com

 

[kaht]

I have a website (which I will leave out at this point, to keep responses pure and unbiased)

Now that you've got your pure and unbiased opinions are you going to let us know what the site is?

-kaht

How much you wanna make a bet I can throw a football over them mountains?