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10
Essentials:
Content
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.
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