11 Interactive Web Design Features You Need
When designing or updating your website you need to think about the right features to add to the site. Features that make the website “user friendly” and allows visitors to interact with the website.
With the popularity of second generation websites, known as Web2.0, Customer expectations have evolved, they expect the website to offer a certain level of interaction. It’s common for websites to offer a range of interactive features such as videos, podcasts, and ways in which visitors can offer their feedback. Many of these features are easy to implement into a website.
Some the top interactive features that are easy to implement on your website.
1. Newsletter Subscription
Collecting email addresses of potential customers is vital for direct marketing or sending out newsletters to no going customers. Adding an autoresponder which handles the opt in form for subscribing or unsubscribing to your mailing list, then sends out any promos or offers automatically and manually.
2. Commenting on articles
Allowing users to comment on you website can be useful in many ways. In addition to feedback, it also allows the content to build with user generated content. It should only be added to relevant sections of the website.
3. Most Recent Posts or Most Read Posts
If you have a blog, then you can display a list of 10 most recent posts or the most read posts from your blog on your main website. It can add value to your website especially if your blog and website target the same niche.
4. Google Map
If you have a brick and mortar location then an interactive Google Map can make your website more useful. Google map can be used in many ways. You can use it simply to display an interactive map of your location or you can use one of its built in features such as distance calculator, etc to add more functionality.
5. Google Custom Search feature
Google custom search allows websites to implement search functionality on their website using Google’s powerful search algorithms. It is possible to restrict the search to your website only or include other partner websites in your searches. Ad revenue generated by Google using your custom search feature can be shared so there an opportunity for generating revenue on your website.
6. Related Articles
This can improve the readership of your website by providing users with content that is related. It is relatively easy to implement on a website and can be automated or works by assigning manual tags or keywords.
7. RSS Feed
RSS is a commonly used format for sharing content on the web. By offering RSS feed of your website content, you make it readily accessible to millions of internet users who use feed reader applications to find information on the internet. It also makes it easier for users to subscribe to website updates by email. RSS feeds also make it easier for users to share content on other social media sites.
8. Social bookmarking
Social bookmarking is popular on the Internet. Millions of users use social bookmarking to organise favourite content and share it with others. It helps in promoting your website and generates massive traffic. A website should offer a shortcut for adding the web page using leading social bookmarking accounts.
9. Latest Content Tab
A list of latest content from relevant sections of the website can improve the usability of the website. It makes your website easier to navigate and offers better utilization of space and adds interactivity.
10. Feedback forms to gather information
Feedback forms are an effective method to collect a response from website users. The form should be customized to the specific needs of a website.
11. Survey/polls
Surveys and polls on website is another important and widely used feature to collect information from customers. This feature allows you to find out what the visitor is looking for so you can build a better site.
There are many features that can make your website interactive and more effective.
