Interactive Methods for Creating Website Engagement

December 3, 2013In Development, Framework, Research3 Minutes

Engagement is becoming an important goal for many companies. A well-designed site can do a lot to increase engagement, but there are also interactive elements that can be added to boost results further. Some of the things you can use include HTML5, jQuery and JavaScript. Here are some great examples of how you can use these elements in your design.

First, HTML5 can be used instead of Flash. While Flash is widely accepted, it is not friendly for all apps and platforms and can cause many viewing issues. For some websites, switching to HTML5 can lead to a big engagement boost. HTML5 can also be integrated into digital marketing campaigns. For example, it is now possible to add clickable links to SMS campaigns with HTML5. This will significantly impact the results companies get from SMS campaigns.

Next on the list is jQuery. Some websites use jQuery to add a sliding menu that allows users to log into social media accounts such as Facebook. Users logged into their social media accounts can share and save the content for later viewing. Another example is the page peel that some websites use at the top right corner of their website. This feature is a peel animation that peels away the new content when the user hovers over it.

Javascript, while sometimes problematic, can also be used to boost user engagement. Many websites have used applications via javascript to draw users in. Some examples of this being used include surveys, quizzes and personalized content. If you plan on using javascript, make sure that it is compatible with all the popular browsers and browser updates, or it will have the opposite effect.

There are many more ways to make your website more interactive and boost engagement. It would help if you looked at all the different capabilities of HTML5, jQuery and javascript to find out how to use them to your advantage. Of course, you will need to ensure that the functionalities you add to your website are relevant to your audience. It may serve as a distraction rather than an engagement tool. Testing your website activity will be necessary to determine which elements work and which don’t.