Good Website Content
Do you need a website, but don't know what to include? Put yourself in your customer's (or potential customer's) shoes. What do they want to know? Check out competitor sites. They're already out there, you know.
To get you started, consider the suggestions below.
Mission Statement: A short summary that clearly identifies what you do, the customers you hope to reach, and how you’re different from your competitors.
Company Profile: The more your visitors know about you, the more they'll trust you. Tell them about your people and your approach. How long have you been in business? What are the main results or achievements of your company? List any relevant honors, awards, or professional affiliations you have and display logos and links that demonstrate your adherence to industry, security, and privacy standards.
Product/Service Information: This is the "meat and potatoes" area of your site, so don't underwhelm your audience here. Provide detailed, informative content. After all, your product or service is why your visitors stopped by in the first place. Surprisingly, usability guru Jakob Nielsen claims that many websites actually suffer from information deficit in this area. Don't be one of them.
Privacy Statement: If you will collect any information from your visitors, you should include a clear privacy statement that outlines in simple terms how that information will be used. To get you started, try the Direct Marketing Association's Privacy Policy Generator. Of course, it's always advisable to get your attorney's input in this area, as well.
Client Testimonials: Research confirms the value and influence that testimonials have in gaining a user's trust and confidence. In fact, testimonials are one of the single most important factors in influencing your potential customers. Leverage your customers' satisfaction with your service by devoting ample space to their testimonials.
FAQ's/Resources: Answer the most common questions through your website and/or provide links to additional resources. Not only will your visitors view this added information favorably, but the additional text and links are also a plus for Search Engines.
Contact Information: Your company's contact information should be displayed prominently on most, if not all pages of your site. Include phone numbers, addresses, and even names and photos, if appropriate.
Tag Line/Slogan: A memorable tag line can distinguish you from your competitors. For example, our tagline is Weaving the Power of the Web into your Business.
Depending on your business, there may be many other types of content that would be appropriate -- calendars, calculators and many other types of functionality can increase both the "information quotient" and the "interest quotient". As always, we're here to help and would be happy to assist you with additional ideas for your site content.
