Tips on How to Bring Up the Quality of Your Website

Are you not getting enough website traffic?
Do you wish your analytics showed more visitors and your list gained more subscribers at your company website?
While it’s good first step to create fresh, original and eye-catching content your readers will love, there are other elements that can take your online presence to the next level.
According to an infographic by Rare Form New Media 48% of people choose a website’s design as their primary deciding factor in the credibility of a business. That is just the beginning in having a website that stands out from the rest in your market.
Whether you are creating your first website or need to revamp your existing one there are a few key tips to follow in order to bring the most visitors and a higher search engine ranking on sites like Google and Yahoo:

1. Optimize your content

If your business is not seeing the best results in the search the first place to begin is your content. The goal is to attract both readers and search engines to your website with original, engaging, and informative information that is not stuffed with keywords. In today’s SEO world the meaning of words and how they relate to one another is the most important element in crafting your articles. The higher the quality the higher the rank on search engines. The maximum length of your blog posts should be no more than a 2,500 words, which is easy to track in Microsoft Word. Keep in mind that most readers are attracted to shorter content such as around 1,600 words in length. Be sure to edit your work and perform a grammar and spell check before clicking that final publish button as well. Content errors are a sure way to detract readers who will view your website as less credible.

2. Use high-quality images and videos

Your blog posts will receive more views, social shares, and interactions when you include an eye-catching image or interesting video. Sometimes these can be humorous, while other times informative. When multiple images are included this directly affects your search engine ranking, and increases your chances of higher visibility. There are great resources available such as Canva, Pixaby, Flickr, Big Stock Photo, and more, which provide free or low-cost royalty free images. The use of infographics is also a great way to draw in readers, which can be shared on sites like Visual.ly for more engagement.

3. Keep it short, concise, and easy to read

Take advantage of your built-in editor if you are using WordPress, or use HTML tags to create a headline or two in your copy. Bullet points, numbers, and small graphics can help break up your content into easy-to-read bite sized chunks. Use word processing software like Microsoft Word or go online with Google Docs to test out your article. There is also a free readability tool available that provides suggestions called Free Readability Formula. When you format posts correctly your readers will be able to quickly digest information, which encourages shares and feedback. Google will also take notice of copy that is constructed properly.

4. Build your level of expertise with research and studies

People are always on the hunt for new and better information, and a detailed study with well-researched facts and figures can help bring more visitors and conversions to your website. This particular case study done on Facebook by Rebekah Radice generated quite a few comments and shares on social media:

It’s important to include well-defined social media buttons near your articles in order to increase your content visibility. There are many different plugins available if you are using WordPress that can be modified to match the design of your website. On my blog posts, for example, the icons appear prominently at the top:

The higher quality your content the more it will be shared on social media. Pay attention to these numbers, and tweak your content strategy according to the topics your audience responds most to. As this is refined and more social shares are happening your search engine ranking will also improve.

6. Include valuable links that relate to the subject

Cite sources that add value to your content, with references to the benefits of each. Avoid using irrelevant links in order to not be penalized by Google, and stay focused on where these should be placed with the use of anchor text and specific terms. Not only will these resources take notice, but your audience will view your posts as authoritative.
The bottom line for effective content marketing is the quality of your work, which generates more responses from readers and search engines. By opening up comments and responding your business will add more value and credibility, which builds a strong community of brand ambassadors. Focus on the strong points of each article, and always remember to keep the needs of your target market a priority when researching topics.