When writing for websites, don't waste time. You don't have much to start with. Forget the appetizers and side dishes. If you want readers, get to the goods right away. That's right, dessert first!
Whether you're writing a corporate manifesto or publishing the latest press release, it's important to realize the differences of web vs. print. And no, it's not just that one appears on your screen while the other gives you ink stains. Take advantage of these internet tweaks to get the most from your every word:
Introduction:
In this blog post I will provide simple instructions for finding the right keywords to focus your SEO efforts on targeting. Search Engine Optimization or SEO is simply getting the search engines to give you high rankings for certain keyword phrases. Since ranking higher is directly related to getting more website traffic, everyone wants their website to rank higher in the search engines.
When countless blogs and pundits are throwing their opinions and deals onto the internet, it might not seem like publishing standards apply. Spelling and style errors are everywhere. It’s all about getting out your message; nobody cares about the technicalities, right?
In my last post, I overviewed a few of the ways to get your company blog in front of interested people. In this one, I'll try to help you find enough material to keep them coming back.
If you're not a media company, you're wrong. Every business has news and events, products or services to sell and a need for the public to know about them. And if you think that your latest contract or the opening of a new plant in Oklahoma isn't worth talking about, just take a look at what we're saying on Twitter every minute. Believe you me, there are eyes out there that want to read what you can provide.
I was playing outside with my son Jacob this weekend, and made an interesting observation. He was running back and forth from the yard to the garage, pulling out a different toy each time. He'd take out the soccer net, and before I could get out the soccer ball he was on to the next toy. I'd come up with a game to play with the new toy, and he'd already be on to the next. It dawned upon me that the challenge of keeping his attention long enough to get into a game is the same challenge faced when trying to get website visitors to reach your targeted message.
It's funny that after four years of higher education, a single answer provides the firepower I need to address almost all the questions I'm presented related to page layout and writing for the web. Clients and co-workers alike regularly ask how their content "sounds." They may wonder why a page doesn't look quite right, or how it can be improved. The answer rings in my head; AECCTE (provide your own pronunciation).
In a continuing effort to help educate clients and the community about various aspects of web, video and other multimedia content, Sitepro has created a series of podcasts which will be released regularly. An RSS feed and "subscribe" option will be available shortly.
You could be forgiven for not jumping on board the blogging bandwagon. As someone in business, I'm sure you understand there's always an inherent risk involved when undertaking something new. But there's a real benefit in putting yourself out there for the world to see. Read more about it after the jump.
Since the Internet went mainstream a little over 10 years ago, having a website has been an important part of a business marketing plan. You operate a website to communicate your message to the rest of the world, to encourage purchases, or maybe even to sell products online. Your site exists for visitors to visit, read everything they want to know, and then become a customer. It’s that simple, right?
Not exactly. A website must go beyond one-way communication, meet definable customer needs, and achieve company goals. Most websites are too wordy, asking viewers to read the site like a book instead of finding ways to use the site as an interactive branch of the business. Text-heavy sites are built with the incorrect assumption that visitors will patiently click one page after another and read every word, eventually finding what it is they are looking for. These sites fall short of quickly directing visitors to critical information, and fail to encourage an actionable goal out of their visitors. Read past the break to learn how your site can avoid the same fate.
