Taking a step back from our usual conversation about new web development (iNoobs), I’d like to talk about what I see is the most important component of any new site – the content. And, going back to a post I wrote a couple of weeks ago about getting a job, how – if you’re a master of creating content – you can either create job opportunities yourself, or at the very least fair MUCH better against similarly qualified individuals.
Despite advances in technology, improvements in user experience, and other really cool things that are happening in the web-world, content remains the single most important thing that you can do as a web developer to drive in traffic (not even mentioning Google’s Panda update).
Now, some of you might be jumping out of your seats, throwing your popcorn at your laptop (or Macbook, if you like) calling this heresy and asking for my immediate removal. Well, maybe that was an exaggeration, but I can sense your hesitancy in swallowing this hook, line and sinker.
Advanced Web Programming and Where that Fits In
Getting to the depths of the site code, Google scans, or crawls, websites that have been createed. Google can’t see if a website is “cool” – although some patents suggest that context does in fact affect linking. Google doesn’t know if the picture you added of your Aunt Gertrude during a summer vacation in sweltering mid-Georgia really is a good representation of what a southern family reunion really looks like.
Most of all Google “sees” code.
It examines scripts and scours digitization. It has no feelings. Or does it?
Google has Feelings, Too. Sort of.
Before Google Plus (and, believe me, it will catch on), Google relied on links to a site to help determine if content was “good”. Google “looks at” the site content and searches for duplication, broken links, bad codes, and others. It determines the page loading speed that you’re host is providing you with. It takes all of these things into consideration (at nearly the speed of light some might say) and spits out a determination of how you will show up when people search for you.
And, Google Search does all of this to get at the content and provide search users with what they are looking to find. It’s about the content. Did I say that already?
Content Will Play the Jester if it’s Not Quality
That said, and said again, the best way to get content on your site is… you guessed it… to write! This is the single most important thing that you can do as a web designer (okay, make your site look good, because after Google has processed you, users will want to see something pretty cool or else they’ll think you’re a slob and uncreative. Speaking to an Inspired crowd, I know that is the LAST thing we would want).
Quantity – Write On, and on… and on…
The easiest and most economical way to add content to your site is to blog. There is a direct correlation between blogging and site traffic. I say it again:
CONTENT DRIVES TRAFFIC
If you want a website that gets more hits, users that purchase more from your merchant account, and visitors who return again and again, GET CONTENT! Blog daily. Blog weekly. Blog in your sleep (when you’re elbowed because your snoring is obnoxious – why not blog then?).
Need examples, check out other web designers blogs, such as Atilus. Our blog is in an iframe on our home page, and it brings traffic because we target keywords that get us the results that we need.
The result of good, strategic content, and lots of it, will be more showings and more click throughs – more purchases and more money in your pocket. Good content translates into good paychecks.
And, in the words of the iconic Forrest Gump: “that’s all I have to say about that.”
This is a post from Inspired Magazine. If you like it, you may want to subscribe to our RSS full feed to be updated on every article we’re publishing. Also, it’s highly recommended to follow us on Twitter!