Retaining visitors is an important aspect of keeping a blog going, especially one intended to generate revenue. However, there are a number of things that some bloggers don’t recognize as what I consider to be fundamentals for retaining readers. After blogging for several years on various blogging platforms, here is a list I’ve compiled of 10 simple ways to retain blog readership for new and current bloggers alike.

Satisfy Your Visitors’ Needs

* Content is king. Write fresh content frequently. However, don’t try to simply write for the sake of writing. In the end, the quality of your posts will suffer, resulting in the opposite effect as is intended.
* Don’t simply link to other blog posts saying they’re interesting. Sure, it’s okay to link to a blog crediting an author, but put things in your own words. If your blog consists of posts that are only several sentences and a link to go somewhere else, then you’re not truly providing the visitor any value.
* Categorize (or tag) your blog posts. This will provide your readers a quick way to find posts on a specific niche that interests them. The more interesting, relevant information a reader finds, the more likely he is to return to your blog in the future.
* Include a search form on your blog. Sometimes your visitors won’t necessarily be able to find what they’re looking for just by clicking through your categories or going page-by-page. This is particularly true as the amount of content within your blog grows. A search form will provide your new and returning visitors an easy tool for exploring your blog’s contents. Also, make sure it’s easy to find. The default WordPress theme includes the search form as the first item on the navigation side-bar, making it easy to find. I recommend keeping it near the top of the page along with your other basic navigational links.

Keep Them Coming Back

* Make your RSS feed link easy to find. Keep it “above the fold”, preferably at or near the top of your page. Presently my RSS subscription link is the first thing below the search form in my navigation bar on the right. Also ensure that you use the standard RSS feed icon (or a similar variation of it) that is easily recognizable by visitors to your blog.
* Join several blog directories. This will enable potential readers to find your website easily through sites such as Top Blog Area, Blog Toplist, BlogFlare, and Blogarama.
* Join MyBlogLog. MyBlogLog is basically another type of blog directory, but it provides much more than those that are mentioned above. It allows members to find and communicate with one another, and it even includes widgets for tracking what other MyBlogLog members have been reading and clicking on in your blog. While the widget isn’t a necessary component for your blog, the service itself has proved itself to be a useful utility in attracting readers, new and returning alike.

Utilize Plug-ins and Themes

* Keep visitors reading by installing the Related Entries WordPress plug-in. Allows them to find more information on a topic they’re already interested in. Why let them run off to find it somewhere else?
* Similarly, allow visitors to find more interesting information through random post searches. The Random Redirect plug-in will allow you to do this easily in a StumbleUpon-like fashion.
* Use a theme other than the default layout that comes when your blog is installed. A default theme makes your blog appear amateur. There is a plethora of free themes available for WordPress, TypePad, and Blogger. Even better, create your own custom theme if you possess the talent!