Web Content is King
Information is power!
Ever picked up a magazine with an attractive cover, only to find junky ads inside? Talk about a let-down. Your website design is important, but don't be niave. The pretty "design" is only a "cover" for the content inside. People are hungry for information. Feed them what they crave and watch the droves fill out your forms and think you're the greatest. Content, they say...is King.
Web Content for Search Engine Optimization
Not only is web content crucial for your website visitors, but it is also necessary for search engine friendliness. Search engines can't read all those pretty images most people want when first buying a website. Search engines can't read anything at all--except textual content. Are you beginning to see why having good content is necessary?
Web Content & Keywords
Keywords: Your site will not show up in search results unless it has the keywords that people are searching for within the page, period. There are no exceptions.
Keyword Density: The content of your site and web pages must be concisely niched to achive high search engine rankings. The search engines give points to your site based upon the density of the keywords on the site.
Keyword Proximity: Where the keywords are inside your content are another important factor for search engine rankings. The keywords in your site's content must be strategically placed on the site to appease search engine crawlers.
Keyword Overload: The Googlebot will penalize your site if you overload your website with keywords. There is a fine line between what's acceptable and what is not, it takes hands-on experience with SEO to figure out what works and what doesn't.
Web Content for Human Visitors
Now, with that said you may be tempted to write a website with keywords 
everywhere, everywhere, everywhere--right? Not so fast. You see there is yet another piece to the puzzle when it comes to website design and lead generation for your business. Humans. It's silly to create a website that's optimized for search engines but repulsive to humans. The key is creating a website that is compelling for both.
Web Content for People
People don't read the web, they scan, so it's important to write your website content the way people read the web. Make it as easy as possible for people to digest the content inside.
Web Content Tips
- Use bullet points.
- Short sentences work best.
- Edit most of your words away.
- Get to the point--fast.
- Show don't tell.
Types of Website Content
There are many different types of web content that you may need written for your website. Each type of web content deserves special attention, because different skills are required to construct each one.
Sales Copy
Some areas of your website will require obvious sales copy, although many people are turned off by straight sales jargon. Most of the time people come onto your website to get information, not read about how great you are.
Keys to Good Sales Copy
- Sell benefits, not features.
- Use testimonials.
- Use information slant.
- Construct calls-to-action that compel action.
- Keep it brief and snappy.
- Write to a person, not a group.
- Don't be overtly sales-ish.
Informational Web Content
The information pieces of web content on your website are valuable even if they aren't selling what do or offer. According to experts, people view the internet primarily as an information source first. People on the web are hungry for information. That's why having several "How To" type articles on your website is brilliant. It satiates the desire of your hungry public.
Reasons Why You Should Have Info Web Content
Showing your stuff. Good web content that's informative and interesting shows your reader (or prospect) how you operate. It shows what you know. This can be a good thing when you're in front of customers.
Getting listed in directories. Web content that is non-sales oriented is preferred among many of the human edited directories. Getting your website listed in directories is easier when you have good content that's unique and relevant.
Content is good for SEO. When you have content on your website, it is a great place to include keywords for your industry, thus attracting search engine crawlers (and searchers) to your website. Even though you're not selling anything in an information piece, people who appreciate your generosity often repay you in loyalty.
RSS Feeds
There is a good deal of information available on the web in the form of live news feeds that can be extremely beneficial to you and your visitors. Sometimes you can find free sources for the content you need, or you can pay a minimal fee.
Types of Web Content Feeds
News Feeds
Industry News
Financial Feeds
Stock Tickers
Blogs & Articles
Calculators
Quotes of the Day
Random Questions
More About Web Content
More about web content for your web site
The Marketing Shop Writer's Guidelines
