Getting your website bookmarked27 June 2005
Provide a hyperlink called something like "Bookmark this website", which will automatically add your site to users' favourites when they click on it. Behind this link you need to include a short piece of Javascript in your HTML - you can find the correct code at Create-A-Website.
Make sure your page title is relevant and meaningful when you design each page. Remember that the page title (found on the blue bar at the top of your browser) of the specific web page that has been bookmarked appears in users' favourites folders, rather than the name of your website.
Use a 'favicon'. Many sites now use favicons, which appear at the extreme left of the URL when visitors return to the site. A favicon is also known as a 'shortcut icon', and is a small graphic, such as part of your logo. This can be a striking visual reminder for the visitor as well as giving the impression of professionalism.
Microsoft has a guide to using favicons and to make your favicon you could use one of the many shareware packages, or a free programme like Iconshop.
Remember that people who want to bookmark your site may not all use the same web browser, so it pays to make sure that your site displays properly in a number of browsers. AnyBrowser.com lets you check whether your web pages are compatible with the main browsers on the market.
Tactics that will encourage visitors to bookmark
If your site is worth returning to regularly, visitors will be more likely to bookmark it. There are many ways to make the content of your site interesting and engaging, including some of the following:
Provide regularly updated content, such as news or articles about your business or sector. When adding fresh articles or news, always include a date, and list updated content under an eye-catching heading such as 'Latest news'.
Publish an online newsletter on your site to encourage users to return regularly to view the latest edition. If you also send out your newsletter via e-mail, it should include a link to your site and a mention of any recent changes in every edition.
Include a blog or discussion forum on your site where visitors can chat and share their own opinions and news about your business sector.
