Author: Lei YANG

1. Upload photo

There are 2 normal ways to encourage users to upload his personal photo right after registration.
 1) Forced upload
 In control panel, administrator has an option to force the new registration to upload his photo. Then, users will get tips to upload photo firstly before any action on the SNS. But this will raise new entrants’ barrier.
 2) Use a urgly picture as default avatar
 Example: on http://home.ebrun.com, the new register will have Pigsy as the default photo, with the wording: why not change your photo quickly?

2. Default buddies

When a new user comes to the SNS website, he will already have some default buddies, and their messages, which is setted by adminstrator in the control panel also.

3. Rich taskes

The tasks also play a role of user guide, which encourages users to fulfill the profile, and try some basic features. Also the daily task like ‘get scores for everyday’ will help to build the user behavior to come back everyday. The administrator can also setup new tasks or re-set the scores for tasks at control panel. Users will get the task tips on the top right corner of the SNS homepage.

4. Leverage ‘gifts’ to encourage the interaction

After ‘gifts’ application added, users will get some items recommendation at top right corner of homepage, sometimes you will really find this recommended item is suitable for somebody that u want to keep in touch. Also the most often ways is to present recent buddies birthday at right column.

5.  Desktop icon

Some company that has client product, will combine a desktop icon setup during the client installation as an option of course. Like taobao’s SNS, when you install taobao’s IM, you will have an option whether install the SNS as well. If you keep the default check, you will get a desktop icon, which will lead to the SNS website in the browser. It’s convenient for the loyal users, and a good way to occupy users desktop.