Why do people keep going back to sites like "Howstuffworks" etc.

What do they have that I don't?

[must learn more]

Hi everyone,
I am trying to build a site that maybe will some day be like "Howstuffworks" or "SoYouWanna"!

I wanted your opinions on what makes people go back to these sites? What is the reason this site gets so many return visitors? What is their hook?

I know one thing is that they add new content all the time, but I am trying to understand what effect this has on the surfer and why does this motivate him to go back to the site?

Besides this, what makes people go to these sites.

What are your opinions?

must_learn_more

[caran1]

You site seems fairly new, it will take take some time. You have taken a lot of effort, so continue adding new information

[4string]

Users trust the info for whatever reason. It looks like someone must have verified the info. I don't know if they do.

They also know the brand/url. After you see a couple of examples, you know what to expect from that site. It's not hodge-podge. Despite the wide scope of topics, it's focused in its presentation.

[jomaxx]

Usability, usefulness, fun, community, viral marketing, novelty... I don't know those sites in particular, but there are so many reasons why a given site becomes a hit.

I recommend you read a few books on these subjects or find some online articles. Seth Godin's books are good, although they are kind of high-level and there's not a lot of nuts-and-bolts stuff in them.

[henry0]

It's called "stickiness"
do a search for it (web related)

[monkeythumpa]

How stuff works has a brand that pepole know and trust. They started with the books and enforced it with their site. They also have A LOT of content.

Work on getting the content, then looking trustworthy, then getting in front of eyes.

First and foremost write content.

[strive4impact]

It's also because they're listed well in the search engines.

I go to Google, type in "How does my blender chop stuff" or whatever, and howstuffworks comes up in the top 10.

Then I type in how does rack and pinon steering work? and howstuffworks comes up in the top 10.

Then I go back 4 weeks later, and type in why do people commit identity theft? and howstuffworks comes up in the top 10.

Eventually, I think to myself, "Maybe I should visit howstuffworks first. They seem to know the answers to everything..."

[Beagle]

Maybe a small matter, but it also has an easy-to-remember, catchy URL. I love sites that have a name I can remember and type into the browser even if I'm away from my own computer and "favorites" list.