We all know the quote from the famous Robbie Burns poem about being able to see ourselves as others see us. But how many web masters and bloggers take the time once in a while to step back and think about what their work might look like to their visitors.
It’s like a fisherman casting his line. He has to give a little in order to get what he wants. He mustn’t let his quarry know what he is really after, but must give reassurance that all is well, even favourable. And then, before he knows it, he is reeling in another fish.
Just as fish constantly seek food in the water, so people using the internet seek information. With the instant-gratification mentality prevailing, that means showing them in the first few seconds that your site or blog has something that will benefit them, that may solve the problem they have.
This has to be firstly through the look of the page. If it looks friendly and professional then the first hurdle has been cleared. The next stage is to have a headline that promises them the information, or the solution, they seek.
And the third stage? To have a winning opening paragraph that has them “hooked” into the rest of your page. When they pause to let the newly found content sink in, they may notice, at the edge of the page, an invitation to download some further free information, simply by inputting their name and email address.
All this depends on everything on the page being compelling, so the targeted prospect just HAS to read on and on. Take a fresh look at your home page, and other keyword-targeted pages, through the eyes of your prospects. Does each page meet these requirements?
If they do – congratulations. If they do not – it’s time to do something about it. Being able to “see ourselves as others see us” is not so very difficult, but it is a highly valuable skill that we should all develop.
Philip Gegan
Unique PLR content, wonderful web copy, outrageous articles, tantalising Twitter posts and breathtaking blog entries supplied for a boringly reasonable price. More information at http://www.philipgegan.com
