We think we make decisions about to how act and what to do consciously, but brain research reveals that most of our decision-making behavior is governed by unconscious processing. In her book, Neuro Web Design: What Makes Them Click?, Susan Weinschenk reveals how to design web sites that appeal to the unconscious mind in order to move people to action.

“We process millions of pieces of information unconsciously all the time,” explains Weinschenk. “Our unconscious mind lets us process all the incoming data from our environment and decides whether it is something to avoid, or something we should consciously pay attention to.” From her understanding of how the brain works, Weinschenk gives us some great advice on how to make web sites that are persuasive and more inclined to make people ‘click’.

Social Validation

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People look to others to see what they should do. Online ratings and reviews are a very powerful way to influence behavior. “We will do what others are doing. We will be drawn to belong,” says Weinschenk.

Reciprocity

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If somebody gives you something, it’s highly likely that you will feel obliged to give something in return. This strong feeling of cooperation allows people to grow and support each other. Giving a gift increases the likelihood that others will reciprocate by giving you something. “Any time something is given away at a web site,” says Weinschenk, “It has created an opportunity to build indebtedness and reciprocity.”

Scarcity

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If there is limited availability of something, we assume it is more valuable, and we want it even more. We see this scarcity invoked all the time on e-commerce sites. ‘Last one in stock’ or ‘limited time only’ are familiar phrases. Restricting information to members only or charging a fee are other ways to add value to your content. If something is inaccessible or forbidden, then we really want it!

Consistency

Because people like to think they are consistent in their actions, if you ask someone to commit to something small first, then it will be easier to get a larger commitment from them later. For example, “If we write a positive review, ” explains Weinschenk, “We will then want to stay consistent, and that means we will take more action to interact with the site, the company, and the organization. If you want to build commitment to your brand, or a product, then make sure you give visitors an opportunity to write a review.”

Similarity

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Weinschenk’s research shows that you are more likely to listen to and buy from someone who is like you and someone you find attractive. Similarity builds rapport. If we feel people are like us, we tend to like them more. We find it easier to like those we are similar to or those who we perceive to share our background or values. In order to persuade people, the stories and photos on a web site need to match the target audience or reflect who the audience wants to be.

Fear of Loss

When we are emotionally aroused, whether negatively or positively, we are more likely to encode that experience into our long-term memory. Fear is a powerful emotion,” says Weinschenk. “We are most afraid of losing what we already have.” Fear of losing motivates us more than an opportunity to win. Practically applied, one of Weinschenk’s recommendations is to package goods by subtracting items to reduce price, rather than adding items to increase the price.

Stories

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The best way to get and hold someone’s attention is to tell a story. Weinschenk uses plenty of stories throughout the book because, she explains, “When we hear a good story, we give the story teller all of our attention. A good story communicates information thoroughly and commits the information to memory.”

When we think about a story we actually think in pictures and visual images. Because our brains are built to process pictures, and we think in pictures, presenting information as pictures is the most efficient way to present information to people.

“Stories and pictures on a web site,” concludes Weinschenk, “Are the most powerful ways to get and hold our attention and persuade us to take action.”

Susan Weinschenk’s blog can be found at http://www.whatmakesthemclick.net/ and here’s a link to Neuro Web Design: What Makes Them Click? on Amazon.

Many of these ideas were also discussed by Robert. B. Cialdini in his best-selling book Influence: Science and Practice.