Back in 2011, Google introduced a new search engine algorithm known as Panda as a way to impose penalties on websites with thin content. Several updates later and Panda is still in action, not only penalising websites with thin content, but also those with content that is of little value to users. With content playing such an integral role in user experience and SEO, it needs to be a top priority for business owners and marketers as we move into 2015.
What is Thin Content?
Before we continue, we should probably explain what thin content is for those of you feeling puzzled. Basically if your website has thin content it means that there is little content on your website and the content that is there is likely to either be copied from another website or of very little value to users.
As you should have gathered by now, it’s not a good thing to have thin content as it can lead to poor rankings on search engine results pages and low levels of traffic. If your content has been copied from another website, you also risk being penalised by Google Panda.
Creating High Quality Website Content
So how do you go about making sure your website content isn’t thin? Well to start with you need to think about adding more content to your website. If your website pages are lacking content, it is unlikely that you are answering users’ search queries, which is something you need to do if you want to deliver a great user experience and rank well on SERPs. Whilst you don’t need to write paragraphs and paragraphs of content (we think around six hundred words is sufficient), at the very least you need to make sure there is enough there to tell customers (and search engines) who you are and what you do.
Writing with a Purpose
Of course, it’s no good adding content to your website if it doesn’t have a purpose, as thin content can also refer to content that is copied from another website or of little value to users too. If you want to make sure that your content contributes towards delivering a great user experience and improving your search engine rankings, it needs to be of interest and relevance to your website visitors.
The best way to create engaging content for your website is to think about the questions that users may have about your business, the products or services you sell and your industry as a whole. Taking a user-oriented approach to creating content will ensure that you provide them with the information they need and that they leave your website having enjoyed a good user experience. Creating user-centric content is also sure to please search engines (which could lead to increased rankings), as at the end of the day, they want to provide users with the best information possible too.
There’s No Shame in Hiring a Copywriter
Another thing that website owners need to keep in mind is that not everyone’s strengths lie in creating content. Rather than beating yourself up about your thin content or leaving your website looking bare, why not seek out a solution? Hiring a copywriter to create content on your behalf isn’t a cop-out, in fact it will probably be one of the best decisions you ever make for your company, especially since compelling website content is so crucial to the success of online businesses today.