You may have heard the expression, “Content is king.” This adage has been around almost as long as there have been websites, but it is still as true as it ever was. What has changed is which kind of content rules the Internet. If you were introduced to the concept of effective content marketing 5 to 10 years ago, you may know that the rules have changed entirely, and it is time for a refresher course. It is worthwhile to keep track of what is trending day-to-day rather than year-to-year, and that is why it is essential to keep your website updated with high-quality content.
Freshen up and Build Your Website
If you are starting from scratch, you need to fill your website with content that will bring many visitors and will encourage them to take action once they are on your site. This means having a wide variety of articles, blogs, videos and other types of content that will grab attention and will engage the user. Before you write a word of content, however, you need to figure out a content strategy that will give you results. You may want to consult with an expert or go it alone, but put some thought into what you want on your site.
First of all, you need to get an idea of your typical user. Think of demographics, interests, and professions of the people you want to reach and design your content around topics that will grab these users. The more content you have, the more visitors you are likely to have on your site, so look for a website builder who can have articles and blogs written for you. While quantity is important, quality is absolutely vital for keeping visitors on your site and encouraging them to join the mailing list or make a purchase.
Search Engine Optimization Versus User Engagement
A few years ago, the name of the game regarding content was search engine optimization or SEO. This approach includes strategies such as keywords that will bring more users to a website. The idea is to use key phrases derived from common search terms at various points within written content so the person doing the search will end up on the site. The drawback to SEO intensive content is that it sometimes can sacrifice quality to fit the keywords in the text. The best way to build your website is to have a hybrid approach of search engine optimization and the creation of quality, engaging content that visitors are likely to share on social media.
Updating Content
Once you have built your website, don’t assume that your job is finished. A site is not something that you simply sit back and allow to work for you, but it requires regular maintenance like a garden. Weed out the content that is outdated and is not working and plant some new blogs, articles and videos on trending and related topics. You want to create the kind of sites with content that will be shared on social media, so put your best face forward and be sure your content is fresh, unique and informative.
