When I surf the Net, I often see web sites filled with beautiful graphics that strive to capture my attention. Well, they do so for an instant, however I click away when I don't immediately find relevant content. The content you add to your web site needs to attract both visitors and search engines.
Here are 14 ways to add content to your web site and attract visitors:
1. Get into the mind of your visitor. Brainstorm all the ways your visitor would think of your product. Write your content as if you are sitting next to him/her explaining your product. Don't write in the 3rd person ie we, they, but use I, you, or your. This makes it more personal.
2. Keep it simple - write as if explaining your web site material to a 7th grader (12-13 year old). Don't use complicated words that people would have to look up in the dictionary. You want them to understand clearly what your site is about.
3. Convey emotion - people on the Web are often in a great hurry, so you need to appeal to their emotions to stop them clicking away to the next site. Use stories, convey your experiences or include testimonies from others. This adds to your credibility and trust, 2 essential factors for doing business online.
4. Communicate quickly and efficiently - people online tend to scan rather than read everything on the page. Therefore use single lines of text for your headings and sub headings. Catch your visitor's eye with lists, bullet points and use short, snappy, active (not passive) words in your sentences. Your paragraphs should only consist of 2-5 sentences. Long paragraphs make it hard to read (scan) your page quickly.
5. Create white space - the layout of your web page should include plenty of white space. Don't lean text hard up against your graphics. Include white space between headings, sub headings and paragraphs.
6. Use graphics sparingly - you have heard it said, "a picture is worth a 1000 words." That's true but only if the picture supports your content. Don't overdo the graphics. You may impress your visitors initially, however to keep them interested in your site, you need high quality content.
7. Create high quality content - make clear points with each paragraph you write. Each paragraph should build on the previous one, so that you are pulling your visitor through your page naturally. You are trying to pre sell the product or service to your visitor. This puts them in a natural frame of mind to buy (unlike many sites which may just have pictures of the products and a shopping cart).
Part 2 of this article will discuss the last 7 Ways to Add Content to Your Web Site
Herman Drost is the Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) owner and author of
affordable web site design and web hosting
Pick up a copy of his new ebook
affordable web site design and web hosting - a powerful guide for attracting 1000s of visitors to your web site.
Content is the most important part of any website.The Internet... Read More
Gone are the days when you had to rely on... Read More
Studies done by Jakob Nielson the man touted as the,... Read More
Many websites make the mistake of being all flash and... Read More
I taught myself HTML back in the mid-nineties and was... Read More
FIRST IMPRESSIONS. First impressions often leave lasting impressions. Impressions... Read More
As a graphic designer, you are sitting on a gold... Read More
Websites, there's literally billions of them out there in cyber-space.... Read More
Do you remember playing with the jack-in-the-box toy as a... Read More
Hire a designer or a programmer for your website is... Read More
Daily article:One of the most debated subject among webmasters is... Read More
Don't make a splash!Are you thinking about using a splash... Read More
So your web site's online and you've got high rankings... Read More
QUESTION: My business is very small, just me and... Read More
In retailing there is a saying that sales are made... Read More
The landing page or entry page of your visitors is... Read More
Are you serious about get this website done fast and... Read More
Chris, a new consulting client, asked me to help him... Read More
I am constantly bombarded with all sorts of advertisements, single-page... Read More
Since I made the switch 6 months ago to a... Read More
Once, I attempted to create a favicon (the little graphic... Read More
You know... Before purchasing your product a person comes to... Read More
Have you heard of 'Babel Fish'?It's a service provided by... Read More
When JV Media Design was formed, the year was 1995... Read More
1. Use .gifs rather than .jpgs. GIFs are smaller in... Read More
disinfecting cleaning services Wilmette ...Don't just put your slogan in the title tag when... Read More
There are several very good reasons why you should consider... Read More
When you're self-employed, choosing a website designer is a crucial... Read More
Here's a really simple way... any novice can create a... Read More
Whether a business has just got off the ground or... Read More
These days, it seems that everyone has a website. Unfortunately,... Read More
Are you using the best colors for your web site?... Read More
The Internet is a relatively new medium. What works for... Read More
As a graphic designer, you are sitting on a gold... Read More
Chris, a new consulting client, asked me to help him... Read More
FACT: 30 to 60% of visitors tend to drop off... Read More
Have you ever been to site with so much ad... Read More
Content is the most important part of any website.The Internet... Read More
Once, I attempted to create a favicon (the little graphic... Read More
Colors convey emotions and emotions heavily influence the decision-making process.... Read More
If you're running a website or online business, your number... Read More
Web usability is perhaps the most important factor in any... Read More
Setting up a survey on your site is extremely simple... Read More
Before you start worrying about marketing your website on the... Read More
Many Internet sites that try to sell you something have... Read More
As of September, Smartads went through what so many have... Read More
Colors are powerful, and create strong feelings. They can also... Read More
What dollar amount does your web site contribute to this... Read More
Wether you design your business brochures, flyers, web page, or... Read More
Here are 10 dynamic website advertising tactics to super-charge your... Read More
Web Design |