Website Content Tips

The following are content tips clients should keep in mind when developing content for their Website:

Begin with an Outline

Good structure is the basis of a good Website. Begin with a well organized outline of the Website based upon existing marketing plans or materials.

Reading Online = Skimming

Make the first sentence of each paragraph count. Visitors won't usually spend much time reading the content unless that first sentence grabs their attention.

Use Small "Chunks" of Content

Break the content into small "chunks" of text with generous white space in between.

Use Short Sentences

Use shorter sentences than you would for printed materials. Computer users are expecting to get their information fast!

Use Keywords Liberally

Use your keywords liberally, but do not "stuff" your content with unnatural repetitions. Try to select one keyword per page and use that keyword in at least one heading and five or six other times throughout the page.

Get to the Point

Do not ramble. Give your visitor the information he needs concisely. Write your content out and then pare it down as much as possible, striking out everything you can... shorter is better on the Web.

Avoid Long Words

Avoid long, difficult words with many syllables, which are hard to read on a computer screen.

Explain What You Mean

Provide definitions or explanations of terms with a link or short "tip" box rather than including them in your main text.

Use Bullets

Web visitors are conditioned to look for important information in bullet style.

Use Headers

Use headers and subtitles to set off paragraphs.

Spell-Check!!!

Check for spelling and grammatical errors. Good grammar and spelling are necessary to maintain a professional image.

Update Regularly

If nothing changes on your Website, there is no reason for your visitors to return. Make changes to your site which are visible to the consumer - at least monthly. Give your visitor something new to see, learn, or enjoy each time he comes. Some ideas for changing content include: