Why
is it that in the sea of content, some web pages hit the bulls eye while some
fail to make a mark?
Writing
a persuasive content is not as easy as it seems. There are many things that web
content writers should keep in mind to create flawless and impressionable web
content that delivers. This post provides 15 web content writing tips that can
help you fix your web content strategy, and give it a new lease of life.
1.
Focus on Keyword
Research
There are no takers for content which does
not rank! Writing an informative web
content is worthless if can’t find any audience. Web content has no life without a well-executed SEO strategy, so before
you plunge into writing web content, focus on keywords which can help you rank
and get noticed.
2.
Avoid Keyword
Stuffing
Adding multiple keywords in a line just for
the sake of SEO is not going to fetch you any goodies, rather it will make your
content look fake and unpolished. Smartly add keywords if it logically goes
with your content flow. If the reader can spot a word put randomly in a
well-meaning sentence, you have lost your plot!
3.
There is No
Substitute for Credible and Exhaustive Research
The amount of research put into writing,
differentiates a page from good to bad. Readers are smart enough to analyze
content quality with just a glance, so, it’s better to put your best foot
forward if you want to create a lasting impression. Personal tip – I give 65%
of my time to research and 35% to writing, and trust me, it works!
4.
When in Doubt, Look
it Up
Giving incorrect and unverified information
in your content is a crime. Whether it is checking word context, spelling,
grammar, or usage, if you are not sure, look it up. It’s always better to know
your follies first-hand and correcting them right there, rather than making a
fool of yourself.
5.
Pay Utmost Importance
to the Beginning and the End
Visitors don’t read each and every line they
see on the page online. They read the introduction, and if it’s good enough,
glance through the content body, and finally read the CTA. Like a good movie,
beginning and end is what defines the content, if you go wrong here, rest
seldom matters! So, pay great attention to these parts.
6.
Mind the Content Flow
Aristotle’s quote seems perfect for a
well-thought out content strategy - “the whole is greater than the sum of its
parts." The key to writing an interesting piece of web content is to
ensure that all different smaller pieces of your narrative combine effortlessly
into a bigger piece to form a cohesive story.
7.
Let Go the Style
Guides At Times
Style guides keep evolving with time, and it’s
important to use “popularly accepted words and phrases” rather than the ones
mentioned in the style guides, so that your web content doesn’t look jaded
8.
Use Simple and
Easy-to-understand Words and Phrases
Calling
Banana a sweet yellow elongated fruit which comes in various sizes doesn’t
always make you sound intelligent! Overtly using words straight out of the
Thesaurus will prove you have a good vocab, and perhaps an MBA, but may not
hold your reader’s attention in the long run. Don’t write to showcase what all
you know, but to explain what others should know!
9.
Write What Your
Audience Expects You to Write, but Occasionally Surprise Them
Each writer has a style which becomes synonymous
with their identity, and makes people coming back for more, each single time.
It is, therefore, natural to fulfill your clients’ expectations and write for
them, but, once in a while, experiment. Surprise your loyal audience with
something that sweeps them off their feet. It not only will help you hone your
craft but may encourage you to discover and master a new style.
10.Brevity
is the Key When it Comes to Web Content Writing
The sooner you realize that online visitors
won’t READ each line you write, the
more you will appreciate brevity! Your audience will parse your web content, so
WRITE FOR SCANNERS.
11.Establish
Yourself As a Thought Leader
In an age where everyone is producing
Zettabytes of content, it’s important to
have a distinctive, sensible voice, else your hard work will be lost in the sea
of overflowing content. Speak when
you have something new to offer, and speak with facts to establish your domain
authority.
12.Stay
Away from Crutch Words
Overtly using fillers reflect poorly on your
language skills and can ruin your web content. Know which 15
crutch words can ruin your well-framed sentences.
13.Always
Cite Your References
Plagiarism
is a formidable sin. It’s not cool, period. You need to give credit to get
credit. Citing references is not only morally and legally right, but providing
source also increases your credibility as a writer, so ALWAYS add references at
the end of your page.
14.Interlink
Intelligently
Intelligent Interlinking can help you make your content user-friendly and
informative. It’s also an excellent way to promote related articles, and add
years to your content and prevent it from turning it into an orphan. You can try these handy tips
to extend your content’s lifespan & get rid of orphan content.
15.Spare a
Day Between Writing and Publishing
You are so convinced about your thoughts and
content that you are most likely to ignore errors while writing, so, sparing a
day between writing and publishing is a boon for writers. It helps you review
your content objectively and find errors (if any).
Apart from being persuasive, it’s also very important
to create user-friendly web content. Read 5
Rules to Create User-friendly Web Content that Delivers. These are time-tested tips which have helped me
over the years, and I genuinely believe can be of great help if you want to
improve your content strategy.
Happy Blogging!
Love and live,
Neha Agrawal
About the Author: A wordsmith and a storyteller who fell in love with information
technology and did masters in computer applications, only to go back to her
first love, writing! She is among the privileged few who know how to think and
ink; loves her craft only second to her lovely daughter. Her friends and family
love her funny side, which acquaintances seldom get to witness.
