Core Approach to Planning Website Content
Before building your website, clarifying what information to include can save you from frequent revisions later. Generally, a corporate website should be organized around helping visitors understand your company, build trust, and take action. A common practice is to first identify your core business and the questions your target customers care about, then present them logically in sections.
Don't try to cram all information at once. Instead, select the most representative content to ensure a clear structure and focused highlights.
Common Content Types for Business Websites
Basic Company Information
This is the foundation of your site, including your company's full name, founding date, main business, and contact details. It's best placed on the homepage or an 'About Us' page. Write a concise introduction that highlights your core strengths or service philosophy, but avoid exaggeration.
Product or Service Introduction
For product-focused sites, list product names, images, specifications, prices, or application scenarios. For service-based companies, describe service items, processes, and target audiences. Ensure this content is accurate, avoiding terms like 'best' or 'first' that may be misleading.
Case Studies or Client Testimonials
If you have real project cases or client feedback, organize and display them. Cases typically include project background, solutions, and results (use data if possible, but don't fabricate). Testimonials should have real names or screenshots with permission.
News or Updates
Use this section for company news, industry insights, or technical articles. Regular updates show your company's activity and help with search engine indexing. Content can be original or licensed reprints, but respect copyright.
Contact Information
Include at least phone, email, and address. You can also add an online chat option or map. For multi-city operations, list main office locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
If customers often ask similar questions, compile an FAQ page. This reduces customer service workload and helps visitors find answers quickly. Questions should be real, not fabricated.
General Tips for Column Planning
Use intuitive column names like 'About Us', 'Products', 'Case Studies', 'News', and 'Contact Us'. Keep hierarchy shallow—ideally within three levels. For extensive product information, use categories and subcategories.
The homepage should feature core content: a brief company intro, flagship products or services, latest updates, and contact details. Inner pages can provide detailed information.
Avoid too many columns; 5-8 main sections are usually sufficient. If content is abundant, group similar items logically.
Key Considerations
Authenticity: Ensure all information on your site is verifiable, especially credentials, cases, and data. Don't fabricate content to attract attention.
Copyright: Use original or licensed images, text, and videos to avoid infringement.
Compliance: Avoid absolute terms like 'most', 'first', or 'only', and never make false promises.
Regular Updates: After launch, maintain content by updating news, adding cases, and adjusting product info. Stale websites risk losing visitors and search engine rankings.
Next Steps
When organizing content, start by listing existing materials in a document, then check against common columns for gaps. Consult with professional web builders or teams who can offer tailored advice based on your site type and budget. If you're unsure, review competitor sites for inspiration, but adapt to your unique strengths.
In short, planning website content is a preparatory task. Investing time upfront ensures smoother development and easier maintenance post-launch.