How to go viral: the web design of shareability
Is there a magic formula for going viral on the internet? (no).
The media landscape has changed dramatically in the past decade. People are often getting their news and information from a group of upstart “viral” sites, with the likes of BuzzFeed, Upworthy and Know Your Meme among the most popular. In fact, these sites are so well-known that it’s inspired websites like ClickHole, a satirical version of Buzzfeed from the creators of The Onion. The success of these sites is indisputable, and traditional news sources like television and newspapers are trying to play catch-up.
The most-trafficked viral site, BuzzFeed, was launched in 2006 with a focus on tracking and distributing viral content. In its early days, the site was known for lighter “click bait” content and has continued to be very adept at creating it. Such pieces consist of lists, quizzes and video content. With them, you’ll often find large images, bright colors and a sort of DIY layout.
In recent years, BuzzFeed has added more journalistic features, like breaking news and in-depth reporting. In essence, it has figured out what kind of content consumers want to see.
The combination of the site’s playful and serious content has led to an enormous following. As of this writing, Alexa ranks BuzzFeed at #201 on their Top 500 Sites list.
Let’s dig in and find out what all the buzz (pardon the pun) is about. Then, we’ll check out some WordPress themes, plugins and other design elements you can use to bring some viral qualities to your own website.
Key features of viral websites
Viral websites can be varied in their subject matter. Some cover the latest news, while others focus on lighter fare. But they often share some of the same key components. Items that can be easily shared and often feature some interactivity and shareability, including:
- Quizzes/Surveys
- Videos
- Memes
- Listicles
- Photo Galleries
- Social Media Threads
Features such as these can make for quick snapshots of a moment in time. Whether inspired by Donald Trump’s tweets, how virtual reality is changing lives in unexpected ways or award show fashion, viral content could be looked at years from now to see what topics had people engaged.
Then again, you’ll also find lots of viral content that more fits the profile of a fun time-waster. Discovering which Golden Girl you are based on your favorite Disney character, or waxing poetic over ‘Three Amigos,’ brings a decidedly lighter feel.
Whether you’re out to capture the state of a culture or just evoke a few chuckles, there are some good examples to follow and learn from.
Make It Your Own
Creating content that goes viral is, above all, about using your creativity and having fun. By exploring topics that make a connection with your audience, you’ll encourage them to share your creations with others.
Thankfully, all of the technical wizardry in creating memes, quizzes and the like is baked into the tools we covered above. That leaves you free to just experiment and create. Who knows, maybe someday your work will be as famous as this guy?
Make your own viral-ready website with WordPress.
Originally published at envato.com on February 2, 2017.
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