To achieve a successful website project, we need to know what you want to say – and that means content.
Most projects follow a simple process:
- You provide your artwork (logo, style guide) and content (words and images).
- We build the website.
And most of the time, content provision is what delays a project. Business owners are often too busy to write their own content, or unsure where to start – or both.
We need a clear idea of what you want to communicate so we can plan user journeys and website layout. Here’s how we recommend getting started.
Start with a website outline
Using Word or Google Docs (if we’re working together, you’ll have access to a shared folder), create a document called Website Outline with a general structure. For example:
- Home
- About Us
- Services
- service1
- service2
- service3
- Contact Us
Then create a separate document for each page, titled accordingly – Home, AboutUs, etc. Each document should contain any content you want to appear on that page.
Do some research
Have a look at your competitors’ websites. If you’re a small business, check out the content used by larger players in your industry – they’ve often hired professional copywriters and SEO specialists, and you can get some great ideas from how they structure and present information.
Obviously, do not directly copy anything. But reviewing what others have done can help clarify your own messaging and give you a sense of what works well in your market.
Content formatting tips
Keep it simple
You don’t need to format content in HTML – that’s our job. Stick to headings, paragraphs and lists. If you want consistency across pages, format headings the same way in each document.
Avoid designing in Word
Fancy formatting tools in Word or Google Docs don’t translate well to the web. If you want a popup, just write [pop-up]. If you want a table, provide the data separately and reference it, e.g. [insert filename.xls table here].
Image preparation
Submit images separately
Never embed images in Word or Google Docs. Instead, upload them as separate files and reference them in your content, e.g. [woman-holding-yellow-flower.jpg]. For stock photos, describe what you need in brackets.
Use high-resolution files
We can resize images down, but enlarging low-res images causes pixelation and poor quality.
Name images clearly
Use descriptive filenames like [mary-jones.jpg] or [flat-white.jpg] so we know what each image represents.
Structuring your content
Break up long text
Avoid creating a “wall of text.” Break content into sections or pages, and include image references to improve readability – especially on mobile.
Think about shareability
If you have multiple services, consider creating individual pages with their own URLs. If each service only needs a short description, a single Services page may be enough.
Consider search and accessibility
Text is easy to index. Images are indexed by filename and metadata. Naming an image [image.jpg] won’t help search engines or screen readers – use descriptive names.
Non-text content and functionality
If you have folders of images, videos or documents, let us know how you want them displayed:
- Gallery, slideshow or popup
- Embedded in social media
- Downloadable PDF or file
- Searchable or restricted access
- Used in multiple places (e.g. gallery and newsletter)
The more we understand your goals, the better we can configure the right tools and layout.
Need help preparing your content?
We can schedule time to walk through this process with you.
- Learn more about How We Work.
- Are you ready to start a website project?
Contact WebSolutionZ to discuss your website project.