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14 Ways to Add Content to Your Web Site - Part 1

When I surf the Net, I often see web sites filled withbeautiful graphics that strive to capture my attention.Well, they do so for an instant, however I click away whenI don't immediately find relevant content. The content youadd to your web site needs to attract both visitors andsearch engines.

Here are 14 ways to add content to your web site and attractvisitors:

1. Get into the mind of your visitor. Brainstorm all theways your visitor would think of your product. Write yourcontent as if you are sitting next to him/her explainingyour 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 sitematerial to a 7th grader (12-13 year old). Don't usecomplicated words that people would have to look up in thedictionary. You want them to understand clearly what yoursite is about.

3. Convey emotion - people on the Web are often in a greathurry, so you need to appeal to their emotions to stop themclicking away to the next site. Use stories, convey yourexperiences or include testimonies from others. This addsto your credibility and trust, 2 essential factors fordoing business online.

4. Communicate quickly and efficiently - people online tendto scan rather than read everything on the page. Thereforeuse single lines of text for your headings and subheadings. Catch your visitor's eye with lists, bulletpoints and use short, snappy, active (not passive) words inyour sentences. Your paragraphs should only consist of 2-5sentences. Long paragraphs make it hard to read (scan) yourpage quickly.

5. Create white space - the layout of your web page shouldinclude plenty of white space. Don't lean text hard upagainst your graphics. Include white space betweenheadings, sub headings and paragraphs.

6. Use graphics sparingly - you have heard it said, "apicture is worth a 1000 words." That's true but only if thepicture supports your content. Don't overdo the graphics.You may impress your visitors initially, however to keepthem interested in your site, you need high qualitycontent.

7. Create high quality content - make clear points witheach paragraph you write. Each paragraph should build onthe previous one, so that you are pulling your visitorthrough your page naturally. You are trying to pre sell theproduct or service to your visitor. This puts them in anatural frame of mind to buy (unlike many sites which mayjust 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
AffordableWeb Site Design and Web Hosting

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