How Many Pages Should Your Website Be?

Those beginning a website may be uncertain as to how many pages their website should be. Some people believe that the more pages you have, the better off your Google rankings will be. Still others don’t want their website to be too long or fill up with content, as they feel this can make it difficult for visitors and search engines to sift through and understand all the data.

So how many pages should your website have? The number officially varies depending on who you ask, but there’s no magical answer. It will depend on your business model, your audience, and your message. You need to answer for yourself what the purpose is for creating each page and how best to communicate with content that will connect to your audience. If you want to increase traffic and draw engagement to your site, it comes down to providing the information your audience is looking for to resolve a pain point. It starts with the first page.

Okay, so what kinds of pages do you need to create? That will depend on the type and niche your business falls into. For example, if it’s focused around one specific topic like cooking recipes then there might not be need for many different subtopics because each individual recipe would suffice as its own page. However, this may change depending upon how expansive and detailed certain areas are within that particular industry—so consider carefully before deciding which way works best!

For starters, it is important to have a basic page that describes your business, its purpose and what you offer. This will allow potential customers or clients get acquainted with who you are as quickly as possible before diving into more in-depth information about certain topics. Subtopic pages can delve deep enough so those interested know all their options available from this company’s product line up including colors, schemes, kinds of services, etc. Like a good news article that goes from general to specific, your website’s message should begin with a clear, concise message that attracts the reader, then provides more detailed information to keep the viewer engaged.

Keep in mind, though, that longer content does not always equal quality. It is all about your goal or intention, your wording, and how you display your content. If your content is simply a rambling of words or meaningless fluff, whether 100 or 1,000 words long, it won't garner any attention. In addition, if it is not pleasing to the eye, lacks organization, or important keywords, it will easily fall flat. Consequently, users will lose interest and leave your site. Once that occurs, they are less likely to return. Here are some guidelines that can improve engagement of your content:

• Choose legible and consistent font—Make sure your font size is big enough to read and keep the same style throughout the page

• Use shorter paragraphs—Make every word count by being concise and to-the-point, especially for your introductory or landing page.

• Make it scroll-worthy—White space and text go hand in hand. Use subtitles and bullet points to keep the reader’s eye moving along with ease.

• Accessorize your content—Like a good pair of shoes and handbag that accent an outfit, provide images, video, and relevant links to support and enhance the copy.

• Utilize keywords wisely—Select the most relevant keywords or phrases to insert throughout an article. The most common places to insert them are in the introductory paragraph, in the middle, and toward the end or closing. Do not overuse keywords, or your message could be construed as forced and inauthentic. Users and search engines will pick up on this fast, negatively impacting your ranking.

• Provide a Call to Action—Provide clear instructions to the viewer on how to act to receive a specific offer or benefit. Examples are discount redemptions, subscriptions, product information, course enrollment or other actions you want the user to take to get them closer to purchasing from you.

• Create Long-form Content on Sub-pages--Provide detail by creating long-form content. According to HubSpot, long-form content describes writing between 1000 and 7500 words. They can be detailed descriptions of your products, services, or a blog page that indicates your expertise. These pages should contain longer content than the initial page to inform your viewers that what you are offering is what they need or are looking for.

• Use images, video, podcasts—The adage, a picture tells a thousand words will forever ring true. Using various imagery and media in addition to written text will greatly improve the message because it is engaging all the senses, as well as signaling search engines.

If you are still concerned about the length of your website, you should be more focused on whether it has enough content instead of whether it has too much. If you must have a number, an article by First On The List suggests a minimum of 400 to 500 words per page, although a page with 1000 or more words can rank much better if its subject matter is informative and useful.

The most important takeaway is to create engaging content that will answer your readers’ questions, demonstrate expertise, and be understood by the search engine’s algorithms. If you can do all that with more or less, preferably more words, your website stands a better chance of achieving higher engagement and ranking.

How To Know If You Are Providing Quality Content

If you’re involved in regularly creating content to attract and engage an audience but find that few if any are chomping at the bit, your content may be lacking in quality.

Quality content is content that is attractive, readable, and valuable to its audience. The more an audience is attracted to, engaged in, and finds value with content from a particular source, the more likely they will return to that source to satisfy their needs and wants. To understand more fully the importance of these attributes let’s look at some guidelines that can assist you in enhancing the quality of your content.

• Attractiveness. You must be able to entice your readers to start reading. Consider the verbiage you are using in your titles and subject lines. Certain words and phrases such as what, how, where, and why are more apt to grab someone’s attention. Another suggestion is to provide numbers when providing tips or guidelines. For example, five things no one will tell you about, seven ways to, ten mistakes to avoid when, or master these eight essential elements. Also, include images or videos as these are pleasing to the eye and can draw the reader to want to find out more.

• Readability is critical when beginning the body of your content because this is where real connection can truly begin. You have invited your readers in with your engaging introduction and now you must deliver by offering them the information that they are expecting to receive. If your readers are not responding, reconsider your wording, format, and tone. The following suggestions can help improve readability:

  1. Write in an active voice. Don’t use passive phrasing. For instance, all had a great time is preferred versus a great time was had by all.

  2. Write shorter sentences. It’s important to be brief and to the point as most people have a short attention span.

  3. Use simple terminology that an average reader can grasp or provide a clear definition. Spell out ACRONYMS. (i.e., Blue Cross Blue Shield vs. BCBS)

  4. Break up your text for easy reading. Use sub-headings, bullet points, hyperlinks, or white space that’s easier on the eyes.

  5. Write in the second person. When you address your audience as “you” it promotes a sense of friendliness and understanding which can help build a trusting relationship.

  6. Edit and proofread. Please make certain to check and correct any typos. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression!

• Value. Unless you can provide relevancy, authenticity, and freshness to your readers, it is a waste of time for both you and them. If you can help someone solve a problem or give them useful advice rather than bombard them with a sales pitch, they will remember and appreciate that over the long haul. In addition, your content should provide a unique perspective. You’re more likely to gain and maintain loyal followers if you have something to offer them that they cannot find elsewhere.

If you want to get more people to read your content, show them that you care about what you write and that you care about what they read. Make it attractive, readable, and valuable. Then once you start seeing a draw in audience engagement you know you have put forth quality content!

6 Tips for Successful Telemarketing

There are countless dos and don’ts to successful telemarketing. Although the goal is to sell your product and/or service, you must understand and respect that there is a process or journey towards that endeavor. The reality is that it is human nature to get turned off by a sales call. We have all been there, that is why it is important, as a telemarketer, to put yourself in the place of the recipient, and that means to give that person a reason to want to listen to you. Your other choice, if you can’t devote the time or it is not your forte, is to hire or outsource telemarketing specialists.

If you need a telemarketing service, look no further! Getting Ahead in Business specializes in providing individual contact to leaders in the industries that you are looking to target to increase your client base. We have dedicated and skilled sales staff that will learn your business inside and out, then work at reaching and influencing the decision makers that could soon be your customers.

For those of you who have the time and ambition to making your own calls, I have provided six important tips to follow for successful results. It takes time and practice as you learn to incorporate your own personal style but if you are consistent with the procedure, you will eventually see results.

1. Motivation: Do express yourself in a positive and enthusiastic fashion. Believe in your branding and you will get others to believe in it as well.

2. Preparation: Begin with an attention-grabbing introduction, continue on with an engaging middle, and close with a call to action. Be ready for objections with an arsenal of open-ended questions that compels the recipient to respond with thoughtful consideration.

3. Timing: Plan on calling the Decision-Maker at a time you expect the Gatekeeper to be absent, such as before 9am, lunchtime, or after 5 pm.

4. Communication: Be a good listener, speak with a clear and professional voice, and ask for the best time to follow up. It will gain you respect and an opportunity to build a trustful relationship.

5. Patience: A sale is usually not made instantly. Be patient and stay consistent with using the concepts. As you continue this, you will begin to build relationships and trust that will create a climate to draw new clients to your business.