Creating good content for your website
Creating content for your website.
E.J. Kumah
Why you need a website
Building a website for your company is a very wise thing to do. It sends a signal of seriousness to clients and provides a source of first hand information for them. It gives you the competitive edge in your business because prospective customers will quickly refer to your company site for any information, and use that piece of information as the yardstick by which the competing companies get measured.
A website opens up your target market, and makes it easier for current clients to spread the good news about you. It also places you in the league of the elite companies and makes you appear larger than you truly are. The best part of the deal is that you achieve these and many more benefits without needing so many marketing executives, promotional staff, event organizers, additional employees etc. Think of your website as a super marketing executive who does the work of hundreds of human employees in winning souls for you.
With a web presence, your website doesn't have a limited life, it isn't replaced every week or month by a newer version, it is there 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it has a world-wide audience. Also with a website, you can send email at less cost than a letter. And you can update it whenever you have something new to say.
First, the Content
The importance of the content of a website cannot be stressed enough. It is the content that really makes your site attractive, not the colors, not the graphics, not even the numerous functions.
What that means to you a business owner is simple; while you can leave the design of the layout, graphics and the colors of your site to a professional web developer, the content must be done by some one who truly understands the spirit of the business and If you can do it yourself, the better. Only make sure you take advice from a professional. The content is the spirit of your site.
You might run a wonderful advertising campaign, but unless your website is rich in content, the traffic (amount of visits that your website gets) spikes that result from your efforts will only be transient. Content that is useful, valuable, informative, educational or just plain entertaining can attract and retain an audience better than anything else.
So, learn how to create good content and when you create it, be disciplined and update your site regularly. Anyone can create a content-rich Website by following a few key points;
Second, some key points
Key Point 1 – Be Focused
To create your content-rich Website, you need targeted insight and a laser sharp focus. In a word; self discipline. Don't let yourself be distracted. Know exactly what you want to talk about and limit your online content explorations only to such topics.
Only topics that are directly connected to your site's subject are good enough.
Key Point 2 - the About Us page
This page gives you the opportunity to tell the world about yourself, the kind of business you are into, and basically anything that informs visitors about your company.
However, because of the freestyle nature of this page, there is the temptation to fill this area with unnecessary information which not only bores visitors, but also slowly drives them away.
The catch here is to define for yourself what to talk about and do just that.
Think of the About Us page as your calling card. When a prospective customer visits your site, chances are About Us is one of the first links she will click on. What she reads there can make or break her decision to give you her business. Her primary question is, “Can I trust this company”? You can answer this question on your About Us pages by showing visitors that you have a solid track record as a reputable, experienced and customer-focused organization. Your About Us pages should include:
- A brief overview of what you do, including the benefits you offer to customers, and how those benefits distinguish you from competitors.
- Your company history.
- Profiles of executives and other key managers.(please write these profiles in a manner that plays up on their strengths)
- Testimonials from happy customers (inform them first).
- A list of awards and other recognition you have received.
- Press releases and other resources for the media.
- Information on how to contact you. An email that you check promptly)
Key Point 3 – All the other pages
For the other pages, the key is to stay focused. Don’t worry if you think you have said too little on the website. If you go straight to the point and hit the nail hard, there is a high probability that a visitor will be satisfied with the “little” you have provided, and those who do net get that satisfaction, will assuredly contact you for more information. So just make sure you respond promptly in a serious manner to any such enquiries.
Key Point 4 -Create a FAQ page.
Over the years of your product’s existence, you should have identified some questions that a lot of clients ask. There is a high probability that a new or prospective client will pose those same questions. Instead of waiting for them to be asked before you answer, the more proactive approach will be to chronicle such questions with their respective answers on a page on the site.
A lot of troubled customers will be satisfied with this provision and don’t forget that by clearing their doubts, you are increasing confidence in them that you are the right company to accomplish their job.
Key Point 5 –Update the site
Nothing is deader than an unkempt Website.
Regularly updating or modifying your Website's content gives you an edge over the competition. People will keep returning to your site if they notice something new to see, learn from or enjoy each time they visit.
Please take note that immediately visitors notice discrepancies between the information you put out on your website and any other source of official communication from you, they become doubtful of the integrity of your service. Lack of customer trust is bad for business so update the site.
Finally
Put all these key points to work and start writing that great content for your website. And once the site goes live, include the URL or the site address on all official documents that you use especially the ones that you give to customers, suppliers, clients etc to be taken out of the company. You need all the publicity you can get to drive traffic to your website.
Secondly, look through your customer records to find the email addresses of all existing customers. For as many as you can lay your hands on, send them a simple email that explains that you have launched a new site and quickly lists all the benefits they will derive from visiting the site.
Thirdly make all new clients leave their emails, so you can communicate with them from time to time when new features get added to your website.
Good luck, put in the work and watch how the website boosts your business.
REFERENCES
Artunian J.Guide to writing effective ‘About Us ’ pages.
www.work.com
Luxury Travel in Vietnam
www.luxurytravelvietnam.com
Sivasubramanian M. Building a content rich website.
www.sitepoint.com
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