Keeping them on the website is essential to a successful business. Nothing will break the trust of a potential customer faster than poorly written content.

Poor grammar and sloppy writing can increase ‘bounce rates’. Even worse, it can have a negative effect on the reputation of a business.

Here’s four ways to ensure you’re presenting your audience with high quality content.

1. Get Their Attention

After a search engine produces the desired website, the consumer begins browsing the home page. At first, they are drawn in by catch phrases and snappy titles. Images and colorful banners ‘call out’ to the visitor.

If the home page has managed to keep the web surfer interested for this long, a major hurdle has been reached. Getting the customer ‘on page’ is only half the battle, you have to keep them engaged.

2. Keep Them Interested

A website’s ability to keep a visitor ‘on page’ is crucial to the success of your business. However, getting the visitor interested for the long term presents a new set of challenges.

After the initial excitement of the home page wears off, the visitor will start to read. ‘About us’ pages, product descriptions and blog posts are a few examples of crucial content. Crucial content is the key component to a successful website.

Entertaining subject matter will make the reader wonder what other interesting information awaits them on other pages of the site.

3. Avoid Rejection

Nothing will stop a website visitor in their tracks faster than poor grammar. Many sites are established to build customer trust, losing that trust can be fatal to any business. Often, a website is selling goods and services.

People who intend on contacting your business are placing their trust in you. These consumers are well aware of the dangers of doing business online. They are overwhelmed with stories of stolen credit card information and identity theft. This is why building trust nowadays is more essential than ever. Poor writing and amateurish prose can create a feeling of skepticism.

4. Check and Check Again

Be sure to consistently read over your website. Errors that may have been missed initially, are often identified through later proofreading. A fresh eye and a good nights sleep will help you identify previously missed typos. Create a standard for what you are trying to achieve.

Compare your site to other successful sites.

When you surf the web or shop online, what do you expect? What do you see as being a deal breaker? How do you define a professional website? Make sure that your website lives up to your standards. Cutting corners could mean cutting profits.

The Final Word

Remember, you have to convince the public that your business is trustworthy. In an environment of increasingly cautious consumers, well developed web content is essential to your business’ success.

Do not allow ‘easy fixes’ like spelling and grammar spell disaster for your business.

The post Mind Your P’s and Q’s: The High Price of Poor Grammar appeared first on Crowd Content - Blog.

More than just a funny word, gobbledygook is a term used to define overly intellectualized or needlessly sophisticated content.

Often, it is a mistake made by new writers who are anxious to demonstrate their talent.

Although it may sound impressive to the author, it can be confounding to readers.

Who Are The Readers?

The best way to avoid overwriting is to know the audience. Using long words and complex sentences may be appropriate in a medical journal, but not in the everyday blog.

The reader is drawn to an article for its subject matter. Catchy lead ins and strong titles are intended to grab the readers attention.

Capture Attention

Development of the main idea, through a series of short sentences, will have a greater effect than using long words and complex segues.

Most readers are driven to an article because the subject is something that intrigues them. Finding the content to be overly academic and formal, will likely cause them to lose interest.

Know What  to Say

Terminology is also important. Speaking to the audience in a language they can easily understand, makes the reading enjoyable. Content writers often choose subject matter they are familiar with and for good reason.

An auto mechanic may have a difficult time writing a blog post about frosting a birthday cake. However, this does not forbid writers from working outside of their comfort zone.

Know How  to Say it 

When a writer does decide to work outside of their niche, it is a good idea to make use of industry related articles and other relevant websites to gain a better understanding of the subject.

Reading articles pertinent to the topic, helps the writer get a 'feel' for the audience.

Make a Clear Statement.

Understanding the audience is important, but it is not the only way to avoid gobbledygook. Simple, clear language keeps the reader interested.

Developing the main idea quickly prevents the reader from becoming bored and logging off.

Keep Them Interested

Since the purpose of most content is to drive traffic to the web site, keeping the readers engaged is essential. Creating a reason for them to stay 'on page' is the next challenge.

After successfully capturing the reader's attention, creating easy-to-digest content, makes them happy they decided to visit the page.

Reap the Rewards

When formulating your next blog post or web site article, remember to put yourself in the readers seat. Identify how to clearly demonstrate the purpose of the article and avoid burying the topic under complicated wordiness.

In the end, your readers will be thankful you did.

The post The Ins and Outs of Gobbledygook, A Writers Perspective appeared first on Crowd Content - Blog.