When you think about your website, you probably think about how it looks. Are the graphics aesthetically pleasing? Are the pages laid out in a way that makes sense? Is my URL/domain easy to read and will people remember it? These, of course, are all important questions to ask. But, something else you should put a lot of thought and consideration into is the content of each page. Do the images on the page make sense for the information I’m trying relay? Does the text make sense? Is it relevant??
Is it relevant? That is a very important question, and here’s why: Good content can make or break your site. It is also, unfortunately, the most difficult part of a successful website, because usually you (the business owner) are writing the content yourself. No one knows your business better than you. Not even your graphic/website designer.
Writing the content for your website can sometimes seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re not used to writing. We have put together a few helpful tips that might help you in the process and also give you insight as to why content is so important to your website’s success.
1. Search Engines LOVE Content!
Even if your website looks amazing, it won’t mean anything to search engines unless it has good, relevant content. Search engines don’t care about your pretty pictures or awesome custom graphics. When search engines scan your website, they look for relevant, quality content. Search engines search for information relevant to search terms, and if they don’t find that on your website, than your organic ranking with search engines will be very low. Try to have 300 or more words on each page. Remember, also, that your REAL audience is human, not a search engine machine. Don’t bog down your content with keyword this and keyword that. Don’t make everything sound so clinical and “fake”. Talk like a human because, well, you are one. It will make the content easier to read, and your audience will appreciate that.
2. Have Content That your Audience Will Be Looking For
Before you even start writing, heck before you even build a website, you should ask yourself who your target audience is and what will they want to see on your website. For example, if your business is selling gourmet coffee online – online store, pricing, contact information, details on each coffee type, images of the coffee brands, even stories about where the specific coffee beans come from – these are all things that your audience would be interested in reading about. Listing bios and pictures of the people that package the coffee and ship them out…probably not as much. Know your audience, and cater to their needs. Make the content relevant to what they will want to see when visiting your site.
3. Keep Your Content Current
Keeping your content updated and current is very important. If your website goes stagnant and never gets updated, your ranking in search engines will start to go down. A GREAT way to keep your content fresh is with a blog (blog postings also add great content for search engines to find). A blog can be your voice to your audience; it can be the “human” side of your business. It can give you a medium to talk about customer experiences, new products, successes (and failures), and industry relevant topics. Blogging can also drive more traffic to your site. If someone reads your blog and shares it with someone else via Facebook, Twitter, or other social media outlets, more people will come to your site to read the blog and other pages as well! All this sharing will create traffic to your site and this will drive up your search engine ranking!
Writing your content doesn’t have to be so daunting. Just give it consideration, and follow the tips laid out above and you’ll be just fine. You can also talk to your web designer/developer, and ask their opinion on what would be consider relevant to your business. They can give you additional tips, and maybe even offer copy-writing services.
NOTE: Parachute Technology does offer copy-writing services. So if the thought of writing your own content is preventing you from making the move towards a new or updated website, don’t let it. Contact us if you have any questions about the process, we are always happy to help.
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