As of April 2011, Facebook had over 500,000,000 active users. With social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook still on the rise, website owners have learned that adding a "like" button on a website boosts hits. With "share" and "tweet" buttons, your website is a click away from free advertising. If you design your own site, it is easy to add these buttons. Copy the code for the "share" and "like" button from the websites you use and add them to your blog or website in HTML format. Then give your viewers something worth sharing, and watch the hits roll in.
A hit counter is one way to track interest in your website. Viewers may not always want to sign up as a member or follow your every move, but a hit counter discreetly tallies the page views and boasts the number proudly, without requiring your viewer to publicly announce his fascination with your site. Hit counters come in a variety of styles ranging from the digital clock effect to the Las Vegas slot machine. You can find the code online for free. All you have to do is choose the one you like, copy the code and paste it into your HTML editing mode on your website or blog.
While a viewer may not always have the time to answer questions on a survey, a quick poll is flashy enough to get his attention for a few moments. Many free websites will help you create your poll, get HTML code, and analyze the results through your account. Online polls come in simple yes/no or multiple choice formats, where you can ask the viewer one question that pertains to your site's current theme. Online polls get the viewer involved and invested in your site while giving you valuable feedback in return.
If you really want your viewers to get involved, set up an online charity fundraiser. Choose an organization to support and designate a place on your site for it. Charities like The American Heart Association and The Leukemia Foundation have fundraisers several times a year. You can set up an account through a website that offers online charity funding and make a link between your site and your charity. Raise money, post results and get your viewers involved in a good cause.