I’m going to assume the answer to the question in the headline is a resounding “yes.” After all, what website owner out there doesn’t want their visitors to stick around longer, digging through all the nooks and crannies of their site? The longer someone is on your site, the better the chances are of them converting into a paying customer.

Unfortunately, most websites just aren’t sticky. Visitors come and go, only staying for a few quick second. In fact, did you know you only have 8 seconds to convince a new visitor to stay on your website?

So, what can you do to make your visitors stay on your site for longer periods of time? Here are several tips to help you get on the path to creating a sticky website.

• Optimize your website—One reason visitors might be bouncing quickly from your website is because it isn’t what they’re looking for. In other words, you aren’t attracting the right traffic. The best way to get targeted traffic to your website is by using sound SEO techniques. By optimizing your website around relevant search phrases, your website will show up in the search results of those truly looking for the type of information, products, and services your website has to offer.
• Avoid confusing navigation—Good website usability is a must for keeping visitors on your website. If someone lands on your website and they’re greeted with confusing navigation, they’ll click back immediately because they can’t find what they’re looking for. Remember, you have just 8 seconds to convince a new visitor to stay on your website. This means you need to make sure everything is laid out in an easy-to-understand format that keeps them clicking forward.
• Have a strong headline—One of the first things someone will notice when they land on your website is the headline. In most cases, the headline is the deal-breaker. If it’s compelling and it speaks to the visitor’s needs, he or she will keep on reading. If it’s stale and generic, the visitor will more than likely leave your website. Use enticing headlines that simply beg the visitor to keep reading. Just make sure your content delivers on the promises of the headline.
• Socialize your website—Too many websites are static and just plain boring. This is the age of Web 2.0. People use the internet to interact with one another. A static website just doesn’t meet the social needs of today’s online consumer. That’s why you need to socialize your website with a blog, feeds from your social networks, polls, online surveys, and other options that encourage user participation. This engages your visitor, and it helps you build a relationship with them.
• Interlink throughout content—The best way to keep someone on your website is to keep them moving forward. You want them to click down a logical path that leads to a conversion. That’s why interlinking is so effective. Interlinking within your content is done by turning a phrase in your copy into a link to a page that has more information on the topic. For instance, if I turned the word “Interlinking” into a link, it would be to take you to another page on my website that fully covers the topic of interlinking. In short, keep your visitors clicking forward.
• Use clean website design—In a way, this goes back to the subject of website navigation, but it’s more than just that. A clean website design is one that forces the visitor to focus on the message you’re trying to deliver. It eliminates unnecessary distractions, and everything on the page is aimed at supporting the ultimate goal of conversion. Take a look at your website. Are there any distractions? Do the images add something to the user experience? What about the copy: Is it spread out in short, digestible paragraphs?

 Implement these tips into your website, and track the activities of your visitors. Remember, you should never stop testing and tweaking your site, as this is the only way you can find out what works best for your situation.