A friend of mine who has a small eCommerce site online is starting a new blog because she became aware of the importance of routine content to the Google search algorithm.
Frequently updated websites are preferred and get pushed to the top of the web traffic. The problem she is unaware of what she needs to do to keep people returning to the site and have them stay there when they land.
Another secret: the algorithm rewards sites that get visitors to stay on it for a relatively long period of time. This can be two to ten minutes too.
Here are the three things every blog or website needs to have to establish credibility:
1 Clean layout
I can not over estimate enough the importance of a simple, clean and easy to read layout, free of too many pop ups, side bar distractions, colors and other excessive drama. People’s attention is being pulled in many different directions. If they land on your site from a search, a social media post or an email, they need to get the information, data, advice or news they came for immediately. They do not want to scroll, click through slideshows or click off pop up boxes to get to it.
This means, pick a layout for your site that is minimalist. It works better. Trust me. I’ve been at this for a while and have experimented with all different styles, fonts, layouts and more.
2. Avoid Grammar and Spelling Mistakes
Nothing makes a visitor question the credibility or validity of a site more than a major type-o or grammar error within the first sentence or two. I am guilty of making this mistake and of judging the professionalism of other people’s sites when I encounter simple errors. Larger and more established websites can afford to have an error or two and still be given the benefit of the doubt of being top quality and having reliable content. Smaller, less established and lesser known sites do not.
Install a plugin or use sites like Grammarly and others to proof content before hitting send. Or have someone on standby who will be willing to give each post a once over before you hit send.
If you have neither, but the post aside for an hour, day or week, depending on how often you post, and read it with fresh eyes. Reading out loud helps spot errors that your mind will self-correct if you proofread in your head.
3.Keep it Regularly updated
There is over 1 billions websites on the Internet but the majority of those are static, old, outdated, abandoned and rarely updated. Users have trained themselves to quickly click away if they do not see signs that the site they have landed on is current and has new information.
Think about all the times someone has shared a 10-year old article as if it is new only to have a friend in the comment section point out, “that’s old!”
Also, the search algorithms and all the machines that work to keep the internet flowing value fresh and new sites. There are ways to syndicate content, re-purpose old content and publish simple less word-intensive posts to keep the site fresh. There are also tips for masking the lack of frequent update.
I do hope these tips are helpful to you!
If you’d like to know more insider tips, want a critique of a site you’ve created or if you are interested in starting a blog or website yourself but do not have the time, patience, bandwidth, know-how or ability to get it done, let me set it up for you and train you on how to keep it going with my “Do-It-For” you consulting service, Visit my Personal Consulting Site and Book a spot today!
Jay Jay Ghatt is also editor at Techyaya.com, founder of the JayJayGhatt.com and JayJayGhatt.com where she teaches online creators how to navigate digital entrepreneurship and offers Do-It-For-You Blogging Service. She manages her lifestyle sites BellyitchBlog, Jenebaspeaks and JJBraids.com and is the founder of BlackWomenTech.com 200 Black Women in Tech On Twitter. Her biz podcast 10 Minute Podcast is available on iTunes and Player.fm. Follow her on Twitter at @Jenebaspeaks. Buy her templates over at her legal and business templates on Etsy shop!
