Finding the right topics and selecting the right words are only part of the process of creating effective content. Content must not only be interesting and well-written, but it must also provide a positive user experience in order to be effective.
According to an Adobe survey conducted in 2019, 22 percent of web users said poorly designed content was their most frustrating experience, and 45 percent said content that did not display properly on their device would cause them to leave the site.
Learn how to ensure that your content provides a positive reading experience for your readers by following these steps.
1. Pay Close Attention to the Design
The quality of your content is meaningless if it is presented in a way that makes reading it unpleasant, such as through a cluttered design, poor color selections, or fonts that are too small to read comfortably. Make certain that your website’s colors complement one another while still providing contrast, that the fonts are readable and not too small (at Web Solutions, our standard for website body copy is 16 points), and that the design is simple with plenty of white space.
2. Make it simple for people to find your content
All of your efforts to create content that provides a positive user experience will be for naught if your readers are unable to locate the content in the first place. Notify your customers when you publish a new blog post via email, social media, and your website’s homepage. Pay close attention to your website’s navigation to ensure that users can easily find the content they’re looking for.
3. Make Your Content Simple to Understand
If you use big words and complicated phrasing to impress your readers, you will only annoy them and send them on a search for someone who knows how to write like a human. Compose in a straightforward, conversational style that is simple to read and comprehend. Are you unsure whether your writing is readable? Take a copy of your content and paste it into the text scoring tool on Readble.io to receive a readability grade as well as specific suggestions for improvement.
4. Make it simple to skim through your content
The growing popularity of mobile devices has resulted in a decrease in the likelihood that users will read your content word for word or scroll to the end. Create content that users can comprehend in a matter of seconds, and you stand a better chance of convincing them to read it.
5. Write for the People Who Will Read Your Work
People are only interested in content that is relevant to them, so get to know your target audience and create every piece of content with them at the forefront of your thoughts. Emphasize subjects identified through market research, keyword research, and brainstorming with team members about questions that they are frequently asked, advice that they frequently give, and so on and so forth. It is not a problem to write for a specific niche; the more specific your content is, the more likely it is to stand out from the crowd and strike a responsive chord with your audience.
6. Include Pictures
If you include an image with your information, it becomes 65 percent more memorable, so don’t rely solely on your words; instead, use visuals such as photographs, infographics, or illustrations to capture your readers’ attention and drive your points home.
7. Continue to enjoy the experience
If your content is good enough to keep your visitors engaged, then provide them with even more! Provide them with links to related content, videos, and other media to keep them entertained… and on your website.