About Content

Designing, programming, and hosting is really just a part of the picture in running a successful Web site. Web pages sink or swim by their content – what they have to say and how it's presented.

The tips on this page can help in preparing content for presentation on the Web.

 

Organization

Taking the time to organize the information to be presented is one of the most important considerations in planning a Web site. The Web is about information, and viewers need fast, intuitive access to data for a site to be effective.

 

"Freshness"

It is extremely important to provide up-to-date information on a Web site. It's also important to periodically update the site and its content, even if nothing has really changed. Viewers expect timely information and like to see new things. Fresh content is what keeps viewers coming back.

 

Consistency

A specific style of writing should be developed and then used consistently throughout the site. Styles can be casual, formal, direct, or indirect, and use any point of view, as long as the treatment is uniform and avoids confusion.

 

New ideas

Unique information is one of the best features a Web site can have. Useful information that can't be found anywhere else can draw viewers in, and often make them customers. This information can take many forms – history, news, pictures, schedules, recipes, even links to other sites.

 

Editing

Nothing turns viewers off more than spelling mistakes, poor grammar, or other editorial errors. This is a major element that separates a professional site with good copy from a amateur site filled with typos.

In some applications it's best to employ the services of a professional copy writer (IDI can provide this service), while at other times homegrown writing works just fine – as long as it's written correctly.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

A common site on the Web is an FAQ, or Frequently Asked Questions, page. This type of page is popular and useful because it allows viewers to quickly find the answers to common questions they're likely to be wondering about.

 

Privacy and security

Any site that offer products or solicits feedback is well-advised to include a statement on security and privacy issues. These are two of Web viewers' biggest concerns, and rightly so. Making a statement about how credit card info, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, etc. are handled can go a long way toward instilling customer confidence.