[netsavy006]

What do you do to keep your members coming back to your site/blog/forum/etc.?

[fords8]

Content, content, content. And Content!

[Anushajain]

Contests are the best ways to bring people back.

[MoneyBox]

You have to offer something that the competition does not offer them. Even just been friendly will help loads.

[juststeven]

There are many ways to keep users coming back and it's different for different forums but here's a few ideas and methods I've tired or would try.

1. Start a contest - Everyone loves a good contest. Try and add appealing prizes. It's easier than you think to get good prizes for a low cost. Maybe you should try and win some other forum contests and then use the prize you got there for your contest or you could make a deal with another website. They give you some kind of prize, you give them free advertising. Anyway a contest always helps.

2. Fresh Content - If there is new content for users to reply to, the chances are they'll come back to join in with the discussions. If your struggling to gain fresh content you could try Postloop or buy a posting package from a promotion forum.

3. New Updates - For me the best way is to consistently update your website. Everyone loves new updates. Try and aim at one update a week. Doesn't have to big, just a small one. I'd say a big update once a month.

[Bananaman]

Addictive hypno-ray to make them stay, but you're not supposed to know about that.

[draco99]

New content, and users.

[TimeRider]

New Content, New Topics, Contest, Inviting more users so there will be a community.

[Bananaman]

Yeah Content's a Must, Contests and advetising too.

[fords8]

Dennis, do you still need a domain?

[shamzblueworld]

I'd say monthly contests are great if you are able to offer something really good in return.

[J Greig]

Stay active, interact with the members, be friendly and polite and offering great support is always essential. It's the members choice then if they wish to return. Of course contest etc are always a great advantage.

[CyberFreak]

I agree with J Greig about staying active. If users start seeing the owner drift away from the site or stopping posting, they will also start to do the same. This will cause activity to drop and will stop new users joining. Any remaining users will start to no visit as often as there is less and less new content being posted. Most people won't want to spend time on a forum that is seemingly being abandoned or a forum where the owner is giving up.

[dan213]

Content, consistent activity, new features, contests, and being friendly. So many ways to keep members returning, it does take some work though.

[amwarner]

You know, I think content is a great way to get people to come to your site but I think you have to create specific, targeted content depending on your audience. Keyword researched content specifically. The more targeted your keywords are, the more readers you'll get. ANd if you want them to come back, engage with them more. Reply to comments, ask them questions that'll require them to provide an answer, visit THEIR website and blog and comment on that. Show them that you're really interested in them.

Now in the case of forums, I would suggest contests like juststeven said. Have a weekly, daily or monthly contests. Create a thread that's compelling and forces them to interact and reply and give prizes away. Also, do random acts of kindness. Send them something to their forum email unexpectedly.

Just some suggestions.

[Mr.Panos]

Content and design guys. If you don't have an attractive site, many visitors will not care to explore it.

[Travis_]

One way of keeping members coming back first of all you need a nice design no one want so be at an ugly site.
Second you need great content that guests like to read.

[Anushajain]

I think by rewarding the members with cash and keeping contests....

[Rick Ace]

What do you do to keep your members coming back to your site/blog/forum/etc.?

I've always tried to keep a fresh line of topics in all the boards.


I take off my shirt every now and then.

[dannixx55]

Be creative, write something that people love to read or something funny to make their day, be original.