5 Website Quality Litmus Tests for Expert Authors
By Vanessa, Editorial Manager
Every day, the EzineArticles team of editors reviews thousands of articles. Every link in each of those articles is also reviewed to ensure the author’s credibility isn’t damaged by a poor user experience. That’s a lot of links.
Along the way, we’ve noted trends that work and trends that don’t that have helped us make accurate recommendations to Expert Authors and also provide this warning:
Everything you gain in your efforts can be lost in a flash by linking to a poor-quality website or blog.
So before you worry about link building and invite readers or visitors to your website or blog, make sure you test your site with these website quality litmus tests.
1. Originality Test
Does the site provide unique tips, strategies, techniques, case studies, analysis, opinions, or commentary?Can the information or content on your site be found on another site?Is the content on your site fresh, e.g., not derivative of other pieces on your site?Is the content substantial by providing information beyond generalizations or otherwise lacking in helpful specifics?
If you’ve answered “yes” to all of the above, congratulations! Your website is well balanced with fresh, informative content, which will help you build toward becoming a leading authority.
2. Quality Test
Is your website free of spelling, grammatical, stylistic, or even factual errors?Is the content on your site informative as well as unbiased and provide multiple perspectives?Does the website have clean formatting, e.g., no overlapping text or tables, no excessive bolding, etc.?Would you trust the information presented on your website?Would you share your website on a social media page, bookmark it, or recommend it?
If you’ve answered “yes” to all of the above, congratulations! Your website contains stable elements that maintain your credibility.
3. Relevance Test
Is your website relevant from the visitors launching point, e.g., if your reader clicked on a link in an article to access your website, does your website relate to the article?Does the content on your site reflect your visitor’s needs, wants, and interests?
If you’ve answered “yes” to these questions, congratulations! Your website’s relevance and the extension of value invites your reader to stick around and discover what more you can offer.
4. Navigation Test
Is the navigation from page to page easily achieved, e.g., no dead links, no circular linking, etc.?Is the visitor-benefited content clearly the main focus, e.g., not cluttered with ads, flash, images, etc.?If exit-pops are used, is it limited to one?Is navigation clear, simple, and accessed easily, e.g., it does not take more than a few clicks to access any particular part of the site?
If you’ve answered “yes” to these questions, congratulations! Frustration as a result of poor navigation erodes the visitor’s attention on you and your products or services. Easy navigation keeps all eyes focused on you and your authority.
5. Transparency Test
Is your personal or professional brand clearly linked to the website?Is your presence established on the site, e.g., you feature an “About Me” section that provides a little personal information, including who you are and what you (and the website) can do for visitors?Are your intentions 100% clear throughout the website?
If you’ve answered “yes” to these questions, congratulations! Your presence shows ownership and accountability in the information you present, which builds trust and reinforces your credibility!
Take an honest look at your website using the above litmus tests and even ask a peer to provide suggestions for improvement. Ensure your website upholds your brand before you invite visitors in order to build upon your efforts instead of leveling them.
View the original article here
No comments:
Post a Comment