So you’ve taken the plunge and decided to create your own website. The first problem to solve: how do you write high quality content for your website? This is more than just what people want to see or the interest in your particular niche.
Even if you have created a topic or niche for your website or blog, if it’s not put together in a user friendly fashion, people will click in and click out just as quickly.
Your goal should be to not only create a fascinating website but one that is eye pleasing to your potential user. If you site is cluttered or flooded with affiliate ads, the end user will not stay on the site very long.
So let’s examine some of the ways we can ensure your site is not only user friendly but one where people enjoy browsing through because the content is pleasing to the eye along with the senses.
You only get a few seconds to make your case so it’s important that you do everything possible to entice your visitor to keep browsing.
Here are steps necessary to create a treasure chest of good content.
First of all, you need to decide if your goal is to get instant followers by building a mailing list to sell your service or particular product. Some websites have a lead capture page that pops out the minute someone enters the site. In some cases this can be useful if prior set-up has been done. If not, it can turn off your visitor.
Next you need to decide if your website URL will open to your home page, your about page or your blog page.
Most people wanting to attract followers will have their URL open directly to their blog. This is the most common.
I currently play around with this option and test, staggering between my home page and my blog page.
Once you have created your pages in WordPress, you’ll be able to decide this. When posting on Facebook, Twitter or Google Plus you should direct your visitor to the post referenced on the social media site.
What pages do you need to create to get started?
- Home Page – This gives an overview of your website and gives your visitors ideas of the types of content available on your site. This may or may not include a contact form. This again would depend on the basis of your website.
My Home Page tells the story of the Work at Home Grandma but the menu on my website includes a contact form.
My website is created to help others find their niche and write copy to fill their website. I want people to contact me with questions and ask for help on building their website. Thus, my contact form appears on my main menu and I also direct people there or to my newsletter whenever I post to the site.
- About Page – This is a very personal page which is presented in a conversational tone to let others know about your background. It can include current information as well your skills which confirm to your visitor that you are a credible source of the materials or service you are promoting.
Credibility is everything on the internet. Unfortunately, there are scams everywhere and most people have become overly cautious because of this. It’s important they know that you are not attempting to scam them in any way.
- Privacy Policy – This is an important legal statement about your website. It would fall under the about page but as a sub group.
A Sample beginning would be :
If you require any more information or have any questions about our privacy policy, please feel free to contact us by email at sandy@copyhound.com.
At Freelancewithcopyhound.com, the privacy of our visitors is of extreme importance to us. This privacy policy document outlines the types of personal information is received and collected by Freelancewithcopyhound.com and how it is used. (this is followed by standard practice rules)
I also include the standard notation that I promote affiliate products on my website. This is something you should do to comply with Federal guidelines.
Sample: Sometimes I mention books or products and include affiliate links to Amazon or other sellers. This means that if you order something through that link, I get a very small commission from that order. Any recommended books or products are just that – things that I genuinely recommend – and content of the blog is never influenced by the affiliate partnership. This disclosure is provided in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR § 255.5: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising
- Your Blog – This is the page that would house all your posts that you would make.
- Getting Started – This is an optional page which can be used for directing people towards the products you are selling or promoting. It is a general page explaining why you designed the website and how it can be used by them to benefit their business or personal life.
Make sure your pages and posts are easy on the eye.
- Use bullet point whenever possible
- Have lots of white space between each area; avoid clutter
- Explain everything in a conversational style
- Always make it easy for people to contact you or locate services you are promoting in your posts.
- Use internal links within your website as well as external links. Don’t send them away from your website until they have first experienced what you have to offer.
- Encourage them to book mark your site for easy reference in the future.
Creating the End Result
Once you have set up your pages website pages, then you can begin to create your posts and design your site accordingly with plug-ins for advertising, social media, contact forms, and lead capture pages.
All of these designs must be centered on the main niche of your website. For example, in my case I help others write their websites or books and decide on the design their site needs to take in order to achieve their goals. Thus the affiliate products I show on my site would be in that general direction.
My goal is not just to get people to buy affiliate products, it is to help them better themselves and find ways to enhance their own websites.
You can start by creating a website free here but you still need direction once you’ve put everything in place. That’s where I come in.
If you’re in the process of writing your content for your own website and are stuck putting words on paper, then the Work at Home Grandma is the gal to push you in the right direction.
Just fill out my contact form and I will connect with you to answer questions and help you write the content you need to make your website stand out among all others.
If you’re still not sure the direction you are going, sign up for my Newsletter as I provide monthly tips to help you along the way.
Next we will concentrate on how to select your plug-ins and use them effectively. Tune in again next week.