It's been said a thousand times...make
it a thousand and one: content is king; but what exactly comprises "great
content"? I'd like to explore a few ideas I have on the subject.
I. ORIGINALITY
Unless your site is called Yahoo!, it's
probably a safe bet that you won't do much in the way of return visits if your
page consists of "Links to Sites I Think are Kewl!!!" and little else.
You've got something no one else has...*your* opinion, *your* viewpoint, *your*
advice, *your* product, etc. Have you ever visited a site and things "just
clicked"? Maybe you had heard something explained in several different
ways, but it just didn't sink in until you heard it explained in a particular
manner. You may be the person who can "make it click" for someone. Why
recycle the same old, tired clichιs and content when you have the chance to
give visitors something unique and original?
II. EASILY UNDERSTOOD INFORMATION
This would seem to have a very high
"Duh!" factor, but this concept is frequently disregarded. Just
because you're an expert on existentialist writers of the 19th and 20th
centuries and you spend your spare time calculating the escape velocity required
for given objects to break free from the gravitational pull of the Earth,
doesn't mean your visitors will necessarily be so well versed in those areas.
There is a reason that the "For Dummies"(r) series of books is so
popular; a basic, straightforward way of addressing things is very beneficial at
times.
Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not
saying you should insult the intelligence of your visitors. "Kids, today
we're going to learn about web site pro-mo-tion! Can you say promotion?"
probably isn't the best way to address an audience you're aspiring to keep. On
the other hand, don't write so far above everyone's head that only a few
visitors can glean the esoteric knowledge contained within your site.
Take advantage of our free resources,
knowledge and experience in the