Building Your Business Online Series Part 4 Content

July 21, 2008 :: cbensen

The most important aspect of a web site is the content. It’s the information that will get your customer’s attention, provide them with information about your expertise & convince them to purchase your product or services.

Before you make your web site live you should fill it with content to make the site inviting and your purpose apparent. Every visitor is a potential customer. As you work on this ask friends to review your content.

Variety of formats

Content can be in a variety of formats. In addition to text articles, you can add images, videos & podcasts (audio recordings) and even polls. Adding white papers or e-books for customers to download provides value to those visiting. It serves as a sample of your work.

Images, videos & podcasts make your content more interesting. Don’t be afraid to explore them. As you find what works for your niche you’ll get comfortable with what is most effective for connecting with your customers.

Make it easy to share

When you create materials for your site consider where they can be put so that they can easily be shared. For example videos can be hosted on YouTube, images on Flickr, etc. When these materials are found they can ‘grow legs’ & be used on other sites which further promotes your products or resources. YouTube offers 13 ways to share videos.

Add fresh content on a regular basis

When you create a web site consider adding a blog. This is the easiest way to add new content. If you post an article 3 times a week or so it will greatly improve your SEO as well as provide your customers a reason to return frequently to your web site. Make sure that you make it easy for your readers to sign up by email or RSS. This will ensure that they’re aware as you add new information.

Make it interactive

Your customers will want to participate. Everyone is getting involved in social networks & they expect that on web sites too. If you have a blog make sure that comments are enabled. Offering your customers the opportunity to vote for articles that they find helpful & leave comments on them. If you have frequently asked questions provide a list of the most frequently read ones. If you have a product consider creating product forums for your customers to share ideas. If you’d prefer to use an outside service take a look at GetSatisfaction.com. It’s free. Your customers can ask questions, report problems & share ideas.

Content is more than just providing information. If you want to create an effective business online it will take more than just a static web site. People online now expect to have an experience & interact with potential purchases. Be creative & utilize the many methods of providing interesting, interactive content for your customers.

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