Recently I posted on Twitter that my bounce rate had reduced from around 45 to just 1.95% (insert happy dance) so I thought I would share with you all how I managed this is just 2 months!
If your unsure what bounce rate is, let me explain. It is the percentage of single page views on your blog, so if people are just viewing the page they were given a link for and leaving or if they are staying and reading more and generally clicking around. Basically, the lower the percentage, the longer people are staying and reading your amazing content - after all it's that what we want?!
Add read more
This is one thing I recently implemented and have seen a huge difference from it. Instead of showing the hole post on your homepage, only show a small paragraph and an image and then have a 'read more' button. This means that if a reader is truly interested in your content, they will click that little button to get it.
Related Posts
By including links both in the body of your post and having a 'related posts' widget, you are giving your readers more of what they are already interested in, therefore keeping them on your site for longer.
Open links in new window
How annoying is it when you click a link and it doesn't open in a new window/tab?! Make sure you set your links to open in a new window/tab. I know that if I have to keep clicking back to get to the original post, I'll eventually get bored and leave a blog, no matter how good the content is.
Remove clutter
Get rid of any unwanted banners/stickers etc from you sidebar, as when someone clicks on them they are leaving your site so increasing your bounce rate. Only keep the ones which you feel are beneficial or from the blogger networks you actually use. By doing this, it can also make your blog look less cluttered and professional.
Search
Make sure you have a search box and it is easy to find. That way viewers can quickly find exactly what they are looking for, without having the trawl through your entire achieves - I know I certainly wouldn't want to do this so why should anyone else?
Well, there you go! My very easy and simple tips to reduce your bounce rate on your blog. Let me know how well they work for you. If there is anything else you would like tips and tricks on, please let me know and I'll try my best to oblige!
Love Laura x
Great tips! I always forget to add my read more tab and end up going 'SH**' when a post goes live and going back to add it in! Oops!
ReplyDeleteJodie @ Jodetopia x
I do this every time but really see the difference when I do remember!
DeleteL x
Reading this made me so shocked - my bounce rate is 78%, how appalling! I've actually gone and sorted out my links opening in new tabs and adding a related posts section. I honestly cannot thank you enough for this post
ReplyDeleteSteph - http://nourishmeclean.blogspot.com
I'm so glad you found it helpful and I hope it brings your bounce rate down! Is there anything else you'd like to see tips on?
DeleteL x
Some great tips! thank you for sharing xxx
ReplyDeleteFabulous tips! Will try and apply them onto my blog!!
ReplyDeleteOliver • http://suedeandsymphony.com
Oh, yes i only done the "read more" section recently and i can see it helped and i've also made my background a pastel shade that also helped a lot! I must still work a little on my sidebars. thanks for writing this post.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing which i don't like is when you share your post on SM the read more part falls away and your viewers can see the whole post immediately
DeleteGlad you found it helpful and yes how annoying is it?! Unfortunately, I have not idea how to change it!
DeleteL x
I've only just found out about how to do the 'read more' section and I think I'm going to use it in every post now! Such great tips x
ReplyDeleteEleanorclaudie.blogspot.co.uk
This has helped bring my bounce rate down dramatically so it's defiantly recommend!
DeleteL x
Great tips, thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips - I love the related post tip, I do this on my blog! x
ReplyDeleteArianna
http://www.ariannachatz.com
Hey Laura,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these great tips! I was looking at my bounce rate at the beginning of the month and was wondering how to reduce it so I'll put these tips to the test and we'll see if it's reduced by next month!
Ffion
www.shembusiness.com
So glad you found them helpful sand you'll have to let me know if they do help to reduce it!
DeleteGreat tips! I always forget to add "read more" and always have to go back to my post once it's been published so I can add it! I need to fix this and think about it more often!
ReplyDeleteAmelie | A Wanderer's Adventures
I do the every time and have to go back and add it in!
DeleteThis is such a helpful post, I've always found the read more button kind of annoying but it all makes sense to me now! I'm not sure if I can be bothered to make the change at the moment, but I'll definitely keep it in mind.
ReplyDeleteMegan | Lazy Thoughts
I always thought the same but it makes such a difference to your blog! It's worth the effort!
DeleteI visited your blog and read your all posts very carefully you are sharing good posts actually I am looking for.3 Steps to Reduce Bounce Rate
ReplyDeleteSo my bounce rate is 57%. Not sure what much I can do. Will monitor it for a while and report back soon. Thanks for all your help and advice.
ReplyDeletevery nice article with easy to follow steps. bounce rate is indeed about readability of post and the suggestions here will definitely improve it.
ReplyDelete