Six Ways to Make Your Website a Resource

By Jennifer Williamson

Search engines try to feature websites that are good resources for their users. For each search phrase a user types in, Google looks for sites that contain lots of content related to that phrase. It also looks for sites that are linked to on other sites, using that phrase or related phrases as anchor text. The more helpful and relevant your site is, the more likely Google is to put you at the top of its list. And the better the content on your site, the more likely other sites will link to yours as a resource.

Here are six ways to take a tired old online brochure and turn it into a hot online destination.

Write a blog. Blogs are great for online traffic. With a blog, you'll update your site with new content regularly--and search engines like that. You'll also naturally include important keywords when you write each post, as long as you keep your posts relevant to your industry. A blog positions you as an expert in your field and raises your profile online.

Start a newsletter. Give people a reason to keep coming back to your site. If you don't have time to write a daily blog, start a weekly or monthly newsletter. Offer good-quality commentary and information that will help your customers solve their problems.

Deliver an e-course. Even better, write an online course that your prospects can sign up for on your site. Depending on how long and involved your course is, you can write a class with dozens of segments--or just a few. Most e-courses feature written instructions to perform a specific task; some include graphics. You can sell your e-course or offer it free to attract visitors and linkbait.

Start an informative autoresponder series. You can use an autoresponder script to deliver regular, automatic emails to people who sign up. This can be a great boost to your business. With an autoresponder series that offers information of value, you can stay in front of your prospects, assemble a pre-screened marketing list, offer incentives to buy along with valuable info, and educate your prospects. There's no question that an autoresponder series can bring traffic and money to your business.

Host a forum. One of the hallmarks of Web 2.0 is user particpation. Web users today love to add their two cents in interactive media environments. Why not host a forum to give customers and prospects a voice? Especially if there are few other forums that cater to your industry, this could definitely make your website a hot online destination.

Build an article directory. It's an old SEO tactic: write articles targeted to your keywords, and publish them on your site. This isn't a bad idea, but just because these are keyword articles doesn't mean they have to be uninformative or badly written. Put some time and thought into your articles. Offer information of value. The added content will help your rankings, but only good, valuable information will help your bottom line.

No matter your industry, your website has the potential to bring you wealth and success. By making your site into a helpful resource, you give people a reason to come back, to link to your site, and to buy from you.

Jennifer Williamson runs a successful seo content creation business as a freelance writer in southern Pennsylvania. Visit her website for flawless writing services at affordable prices, or her freelance writing blog to learn more.

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