Crafting Compelling Website Content: Top 20 Do's and Don'ts
When it comes to building a website, one of your foremost priorities is creating captivating and engaging content. If you're new to the world of quality content writing, you might feel uncertain about what to include and what to avoid. The key to successful website content lies in striking a balance that appeals to both your online audience and search engines. Though it may seem daunting, fear not! We have compiled a comprehensive list of the top 20 do's and don'ts to guide you in writing website content that enhances the appearance, readability, and SEO effectiveness of your new site. By following these tips while composing and compiling your website content, you'll be able to reap the rewards of high-quality content writing once your site is live.
20 Tips for Crafting Quality Content on Web Pages
Don't...
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Plagiarize: It cannot be stressed enough—avoid copying content from other sources. Plagiarism can result in penalties from search engines or even lead to the removal of your site. Your company is unique, and it deserves original content.
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Use run-on sentences: Aim for concise and succinct sentences that cater to both human readers and search engines. If you have a lot to convey, break it down into easily scannable chunks.
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Overcomplicate your content: While using complex words may make you feel smarter, most people prefer content that is easily understandable. Keep your language accessible to the average reader.
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Present long walls of text: Whenever possible, keep your paragraphs around 80 words or 4-5 lines. Employ bullet points, lists, and visuals to break up the text, making it more skimmable and user-friendly.
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Repeat yourself excessively: Your website visitors seek to learn new information about the subject your website covers. Avoid bombarding them with repetitive concepts or keywords.
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Oversell your products or services: Effective content writing requires a delicate balance between promotional and non-promotional content. While the purpose of your website is to promote what you offer, overwhelming readers with constant invitations to buy or sign up can be off-putting. Provide valuable and informative content that your audience can appreciate before presenting them with purchasing opportunities.
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Neglect your target audience: Remember that your customers may have limited knowledge about the topics your website covers. Write content that meets your visitors at their level of understanding.
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Use images without legal rights: Incorporating images from the internet without permission or proper licensing can lead to legal consequences. Avoid the risk of being sued by using only the images that you have the right to use.
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Settle for poor anchor text: Instead of using generic anchor text like "Click here!" when inserting links in your content, opt for descriptive and inviting anchor text that entices your website viewers to click.
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Plagiarize—again, it's crucial to emphasize the importance of originality. Invest the time and effort into creating your own content, and utilize duplicate content checker tools to ensure its authenticity.
Do...
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Determine the goal of each page: Establish a clear objective for every web page. If you want customers to make a purchase on a specific page, ensure that the content effectively guides them in the right direction and convinces them of the product's value.
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Utilize Calls-To-Action (CTAs): CTAs, whether in the form of buttons, links, images, or other graphics, encourage site visitors to become participants or customers. Great content without compelling CTAs will be less effective at converting visitors into consumers.
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Create an outline: Before diving into writing, develop a structured and organized outline or plan for each web page.
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Write in a human tone: Avoid content that sounds like it was copied from a dictionary or narrated by a robot. Be friendly and down-to-earth, connecting with your site visitors on a personal level. Establishing this connection increases the likelihood of engagement with your CTAs.
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Employ bullet points, numbered lists, headers, etc.: Incorporating these formatting elements will enhance the visual appeal and readability of your content.
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Address your target market's needs: Showcase how your services or products can benefit consumers. Explain why they are the best in the market and how visitors can easily find the specific information or items they are seeking. As an expert, your website visitors expect to find answers on your site.
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Organize your paragraphs: Maintain a clear and concise structure for each paragraph, focusing on one idea at a time. Start with a subject sentence and ensure that the paragraph remains on topic without rambling or providing irrelevant information.
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Enable quick scanning of content: Prioritize the important information and display it prominently. Since most site visitors spend only a few seconds on a page, ensure they can quickly find what they're looking for without feeling overwhelmed by excessive text.
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Review and revise your content: After writing a page, take the time to review it for errors or missing information. Consider reading the content aloud to assess its flow and identify any overlooked mistakes.
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Meet content deadlines: To achieve a cohesive blend of content and web design, it's crucial to communicate the type of content you'll be providing to your web design team. Delivering your content punctually ensures that your website will look polished and launch on time.
Bonus! If you're still unsure about writing website content or find yourself lacking inspiration, take a moment to explore existing websites that feature content you admire. Use them as a source of inspiration, but always remember to avoid plagiarism!
If you feel that you may not have the time or inclination to learn and implement these tips for quality content writing, fear not! Media Masters Plus+ offers excellent content writing services. We specialize in creating organized, optimized, and impactful content for your website. Contact us today, and let's embark on creating outstanding content for your site!