With Google recently updating their search rules to seek out and penalize ‘over-optimized’ websites more and more small business owners are concerned about how much content to put on their site. For me this is a blessing in disguise. Too many times small business websites are loaded up with way too much information. It can be intimidating for viewers. I always say no one wants to read a book online! (IE the title. Get it?) The website is used to validate your business, confirm who you are and what you do, and peak their interest enough to contact you. You can’t tell them everything online, and you don’t want too! If you are like me, the real difference in what you offer is in the level of your service. How do you explain that online? With catchy phrases and cliches? Make your message short, concise, and crystal clear. If you load up on content, make it original content that helps promote your business as a thought-leader…(another topic for later), and provides useful information for your viewers. Though even then it needs to be pointed and concise.
So how much is too much? There is no right or wrong here. Some businesses will inevitably need to showcase more content than others. Read it aloud and see if you get the right message. Have family and friends go through it. If it puts anyone to sleep you know it’s too much! Just keep it simple…get your unique selling proposition across and err on the side of caution.
