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How do I decide on the content of my Web site? 

You will need to determine the information that you wish to offer visitors. Each page should be centered around one or at most two keywords. Each page should also contain information for search engines to index your site and you must aim to optimize each page to obtain high ranking. The page keyword should appear not only as frequently as possible in the page text but also in the page title, page header, META keywords, META Description and META content tags.

It is the task of Web designers to optimize each Web design for high Search Engine ranking (See Bells & Whistles).

The easier your content is to understand, the better.

As you explore the Web, you will appreciate that it is the content of the highest ranked sites that distinguishes them from the rest and it will be the quality of the content of your site that will ultimately determine whether your site will be well received.  Content is king.

Your site must have a purpose and a theme. The themes may be based on:

• information

• entertainment

• e-commerce

The theme of your site should be apparent to any visitor. It should be focused and provide a benefit to the visitor. To encourage visitors to return, the site should be updated regularly.

Write down the top six keywords that you would use to  search the net trying to find a site like yours. Then search on your keywords and study the top ten sites listed by the major search engines. Not only will this provide you with clues to success but you will be stimulated to develop original ideas that will be unique to your site. 

Your Web site should be interesting to visitors. Much will depend on the nature of your site. Free information goes down well on the Web. Even if your site is e-commerce oriented, you can provide free information relating to your business area.

Examples

A wine selling organisation could include a discussion about the various types of wine or how wine is produced.

An accountant could provide a discussion of the latest changes in taxation.

If your site relates to a hobby, explain why you find this a compelling area.

Your introduction should explain:

• The reason for your Web presence.

• Your target audience.

• Provide quality information

• Provide quality layout.

• Use headings and subheadings.

• Several short linked Web pages are easier to follow than one very long page.

• Keep your Web site up to date and indicate on your home page your latest updates.

• You should consider providing a brief CV and possibly a photograph of yourself.

• Contact facilities including an email address.

• Clear navigation on each page.

• Avoid ‘Under Construction’ pages.

Web site design should be fun. It is an art rather than a science. One of the advantages of designing your own Web site is that you can put a little of yourself in to it. You have control over the content, colour schemes and links. With a Web authoring program (I recommend Frontpage

) quality pages can be created by everyone.