Crafting Engaging Website Content
Crafting compelling and effective website content can be a daunting task. It requires a careful balance of gathering relevant information, making critical decisions about what to say as well as creating engaging copy that will resonate with your target audience. However, breaking it down into manageable steps can make the process more straightforward and less overwhelming. One effective approach is to first identify the specific pages required and then carefully plan out the content for each page accordingly.
Once you have determined the required pages, you can then focus on creating high-quality content for each.
Here’s a list of possible pages, simply decide which apply to your site and click the link for ideas on what to write for each page type.
Header and Footer
In addition to specific pages, most website designs incorporate a common header and footer into each page.
Header
The header normal contains the logo, menu, perhaps a search bar, social media icons, contact details etc.
The image below shows this website’s home page with the header highlighted in red.
The above image is taken from this website and shows the header highlighted in red. The header contains the logo, site navigation, contact details and search icon.
What to Include in the Header?
Logo
The logo of the website or brand, usually placed at the top left corner of the header states who you are. Clicking on the logo often leads back to the homepage.
Navigation Menu
A menu bar or list of links that allow users to navigate different sections or pages of the website. It may include options like Home, About, Services, Products, Blog, Contact, etc.
Search Bar
In some cases, a search bar is included in the header to enable users to search for specific content or products on the website.
Contact Information
Contact details such as phone number, email address, or a link to a contact page may be displayed in the header for easy access.
Social Media Icons
Links to social media profiles or sharing buttons may be placed in the header to encourage visitors to connect with the website on various social platforms.
Call-to-Action (CTA) Buttons:
Depending on the website’s purpose, a header might include prominent buttons encouraging users to take a specific action, such as “Sign Up,” “Buy Now,” “Get Started,” or “Request a Quote.”
Additional Links
Depending on the website’s structure and content, additional links or dropdown menus for specific sections or categories may be included in the header.
Footer
The footer is an important section of any webpage, it’s a chance to give the visitor some options for where to go next as well as provide legal information and allow them to share the page.
The image below shows this website’s home page with the footer highlighted in red.
The sample footer is taken from this website and contains a call to action, opening hours details plus location information, links to legal pages, the site map and a few other links, a summary of services offered plus social media links, the navigation menu and copyright details.
What to Include in the Footer?
Contact Information
The footer commonly displays contact details such as the company’s address, phone number, email address, and links to social media profiles.
Navigation Links
Similar to the header, the footer often includes a secondary navigation menu or a condensed version of the main menu, providing easy access to important pages on the website.
Site Map
A site map or a list of links to different sections or pages of the website may be included in the footer, serving as a quick reference for users to navigate the site.
Copyright Notice
The footer often includes a copyright notice to indicate the ownership and protection of the website’s content. It typically includes the copyright symbol (©), the year of publication, and the name of the website or the company.
Legal Pages
Many websites place links to their privacy policy, cookie policy and terms of service in the footer. These pages outline how user data is handled and the terms and conditions users must agree to when using the website.
Back to Top Button
A “Back to Top” button or arrow may be included in the footer, allowing users to quickly scroll back to the top of the page without manually scrolling.
Additional Information
The footer can also contain additional information such as a brief about the company, links to important resources, FAQs, customer support contacts, newsletter signup forms, or links to related websites.