6. Content

Your content is the backbone of your Web site I don't care how good it looks, or how well designed it is, or how snazzy those rollovers are. If it doesn't have good content, then it simply shouldn't be there.

When putting together your content, you should reflect on the planning stage and specifically your mission statement. Every bit of content should be in some way related to the mission statement, or it shouldn't be there. If your mission statement is to make people laugh, then anything that isn't funny should be left out. If your mission statement is to inform people about whale mating habits, then you shouldn't be talking about browser updates.

Don't create 'filler' content. Don't write something or put something online just for the sake of having something online. Plan your content as you planned your site. There's nothing more irritating to us more than visiting a site only to find mindless banter. When writing, be direct and to the point. Use short sentences if necessary. If you need help writing, pick up a book at the library.

The best writing is usually the most researched writing. If you have the time, research what you're writing about. If you don't have the time, either make it or have someone else write for you. We probably sound like a broken record, but use the library or the web.

Keep the content going. Update your site and your content regularly. Don't put something up and leave it there for years. Everything changes, and as we in the development business know, things are changing faster now. Keep up on it. If the world passes up your content, the users will pass up on your site.