Web Content is Vital to Having an Effective Web Site
Outlining a clear strategy
for your content is the initial step to creating effective content for your web
site. First, identify what you want to accomplish, what information it will
include and how the content will be organized.
Your site should provide
information your prospects need to know to buy from you plus information you
want them to know that will convince them to buy from you. Need-to-know-type
content for potential customers might include information about your company,
products/services, customers and testimonials.
Information that you want
them to know might include work samples, frequently asked questions, press
releases, reports, articles and other material that can educate them about your
business. And don’t forget to include a clear and effective marketing message
that will convert visitors into buyers. After all, isn’t that the primary
reason for ha
While your content must cater
to site visitors, it should also be strategically developed for the best
performance with search engines. So be sure to include the right keywords in
your regular text, meta tags, headings, etc. The goal is to make your content
appealing to site visitors and search
engines. If you optimize your content effectively, you can keep a steady stream
of free traffic flowing to your web site.
One of the most important
things to remember when writing content is this: Keep it simple and clear. Most
people find it 30 times harder to read text on a computer screen than on paper.
Also, site visitors tend to skim over web content, focusing on headlines, bold
text and links. So be sure to format your web content so the information is
easy for people to find, read and understand.
Here are seven smart ways to create
effective Web content:
1. Be concise.
Cut out extra words in sentences, get to the point and express what you need to
say quickly.
2. Be conversational. Don’t use complicated words or business language no
one outside your industry will understand. Just write the way you talk, so your
copy will convey a friendly, comfortable and confident tone.
3. Write in small chunks. Group ideas by topics and present them in small,
manageable chunks of information. Keep your sentences as short as possible and
vary the lengths so you hold readers’ interest. Then add descriptive, bold
headings that will make the content easier to scan.
4. Give good information. Most people go online to find information
about their hobbies, products or other interests. Don’t waste their time by
placing useless, self-serving content on your site. Make sure you provide
information that’s not only interesting, but also educational and enriching.
(In fact, many search engines won’t consider listing sites into their databases
if they lack useful information.)
5. Use descriptive links. Go beyond the typical "click here" link on
your Web pages. Try something like: “Take our demo,” “Get a sample,” or “ Order
now!” Not only is this more engaging, but it can enhance your performance with
search engines.
6. Link to complementary Web
sites. Include links to Web sites that offer supplementary (not competing)
information. This will not only benefit your site visitors, but it also can
boost your search engine ranking.
7. Keep your content fresh. Keep the information on your site
interesting and updated so visitors will have a reason to come back.
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Copyright 2006,
Connecticut Secretary
http://www.connecticutsecretary.com
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