10 Tips for Writing Effective Web Pages
Starting a website for the first time can be a huge challenge. The first challenge you face is deciding what you should publish and then working out how many pages you need. Finally, determining how your new site will look. Well, we have made part of your job easier with our "In-a-Jiffy" Web Design and Style Choices.
Your main focus should now be to decide on your content and what you want to say. To help you, we have written these tips, that if you apply will give your site an immediate advantage.
1. Ensure each page has a specific subject or theme
This is important, not only for your visitors, but also for search engines. By having a theme or a subject for each page will ensure a particular concentration of keywords and phrases. This is an important factor in helping you get prominent seach engine rankings.
2. Make your headings interesting so they stand out
The purpose of headings to to grab attention and to act as a summary of the content that follows (just like a headline in a newspaper). This means your headings must contain the words that are important to your visitor. The response you want with any heading is, "Yes, that is what I am looking for!"
3. Use positive "action" words
Often websites fail because the content is stodgy and boring. Your objective is to create a sense of momentum and to keep things in the present - in the here and now. So, as much as possible, keep passive words out of your text. This will help you create a sense of urgency to lead your visitor (your prospect) to take action.
4. Use sub-headings
By using sub-headings you will immediately make your web pages so much more scanable. This will help your visitors find the things they are interested in quicker. Remember to use important keywords in your sub-headings that accurately define the content that follows.
5. Make your copy engaging to read
There is a huge tendency to just talk about our services and products on our website content. but you need to remember your visitor and your objective to create action. To do this you need to write as though you are writing a letter to a person you know. Make what you write personal and engaging so your visitor feels involved.
6. Write to help your visitors understand
Just because you understand your products and services does not mean other do, or what the benefits will be. Often when we try and explain something that we know very well we tend to assume that the other person is just as knowledgeable. This is not the case. Your writing needs to be simple - but not simplistic (your visitors are not one brain cell morons!). So, don't be scared of writing long web pages if that is required.
7. Be consistent with your use of words
Make sure the terms and phrases you use are consistent throughout your entire website. This will help avoid ambiguity and confusion. It will also help you communicate clearly.
8. Understand the silent question in the mind of your visitor
Inside the mind of every person who comes to your site is a little voice that says, "Whats in it for me?" The reason why people have come to your site is because they have a problem and are looking for a solution. Your job is to show how your products or services will provide and answer and take away their pain.
9. Make a strong start to your page
A good headline and a powerful first paragraph are vital if you want to grab attention. Your first paragraph should provide all the vital information your visitor needs to know. If it is not there there is a high probability your visitor (your potential customer) will leave.
10. Check your spelling
It is so easy to make mistakes with spelling. Many mistakes will be typographical errors, other mistakes will be grammatical (such as not knowing the difference between "affect" and "effect"). But, no matter what, your mistakes will be highly visible to your visitors. This can impact on your credibility.
Want to know more on how to create an effective website?
If you would like some more information on what it takes to have an effective website, register for one of Hyperlink's Effective Website Workshops.