Getting a new user to visit your website and try the games is hard work. With so many fleshy ads vying for his attention, the player really needs to see something special to click on the link and give your homepage a chance. What happens next determines whether the first visit translates into a long relationship or ends as abruptly as it started.

The first hour of interaction can be regarded as the ‘golden hour’ and it may be the only opportunity to make a strong impression and convert the player to your cause. Here is how to do it consistently regardless of your niche.

Making the Player Feel at Ease

Gamers can deal with all kinds of interfaces, but that doesn’t mean you can just throw things at them randomly. A well-organized website with a familiar look and feel can be instrumental for establishing trust early. Nobody wants to dig through the menus and search for hidden buttons, and if the games require too much mental focus to figure out the player might just quit. In some cases, a tutorial or virtual assistant could help to deal with complexity in a way that won’t turn the player away. On the other hand, it’s smart to give the player some freedom to explore and search out the bits he really likes.

Differentiating from Other Gaming Experiences

In an ocean of copies, we are all looking for something fresh and totally unique. To become truly immersed in a game, players must discover something they haven’t seen before, some twist or turn that improves a genre they know well. The difference can be in the idea, in the execution, even in the visuals, but it has to show up somewhere and it has to show up fast. Experienced players tend to compare every new game to their all-time favorites but you can’t give them exact clones and expect them to eat it up. Creativity can’t be simulated and only true innovation can help you turn casual visitors into loyal fans who come back to play daily.

Presenting the Depth of Your Content

A player might initially look for a slot game on Tikal Casino, but he will stay longer if he finds out about progressive jackpots and live casino games. Showcasing the content is a great way to pique the player’s natural curiosity and lead him to discover titles well-suited to his preferred style. By demonstrating the depth of its offer, a website is also signaling that it has what it takes to keep things interesting in the long run. Of course, there is a fine line between hinting at the good stuff and swamping the player with endless options he can’t reasonably explore in the limited time he has. Smart operators are always careful not to cross this line with first-time visitors.

Initiating a Lasting Relationship

To put it simply, you have to give the player a good reason to come back. In ideal case, the first hour of interaction should be enough to develop some good vibes and perhaps even get the player to make a small commitment, i.e. get a membership status or customize his account and avatar. This makes a return visit more likely, and provides a foundation to build upon. It’s a good idea to send an occasional reminder or award a small bonus and nudge the player to open the game again, but this needs to be done in moderation. If his first experience was positive, a true gamer will come back for more even without being prompted all the time.​