The social web took off because as humans we like to have conversations. This is what we need to remember this when we are creating a site – what you see as a unique visitor listed in your analytics app is actually a real human who was at their computer interacting with your pages.
They might be looking for new music, sharing their travel plans, trying to find a local meetup group, messaging friends, playing casual games, or watching videos – all of these can be social actions involving real people. As web developers/designers/suits we need to ensure that the pages we are sending to people are having the conversation they are looking to engage with.
Try browsing a site and ask yourself, “Am i alone? Where are the other people?”
Conversations happen between people and there are lots of possible signs of life. Names, dates, display pictures, photos, videos, comment counts, view counts, related items, suggestions. We want to be at the popular bar, the popular shop, the popular party – they’re more fun because there are more people there. Nobody wants to be the first guy to rock up at a house party. Your site is no different.
Show us that we’re not alone. Show us there are other people here.
Credits: Thanks to WooMe for the faces.
By Ross Hill - June 8th, 2009 at 10:21pm with 786 views
