Boost your credibility and skyrocket your traffic by writing and
submitting articles
Web sites are made for surfers who read, scan and would want to
know more about a particular topic or subject that they are
looking for. Articles written for websites serve this particular
purpose. But, believe it or not, surfers who search the web for
relevant articles do so not by actually reading each and every
article they encounter, they simply skim and scan over it.
It is discovered that only sixteen percent of users tested who
regularly surf the web for information actually read every word
of an article. A whooping seventy nine percent just scan it. All
they do is choose among the many words in front of them and pick
out the relevant words, phrases or sentences.
But, there is an exception though. In the same test, it was also
discovered that articles that enjoyed a more than one hundred
percent usability rating were articles that were concisely
written, well-researched and objectively presented.
For articles that were average in content and form, this is
where text scanning is definitely usable. Articles such as these
would be easier to scan via keywords that are highlighted or in
a different color or typeface.
What would it take then for an article to be easily readable
enough at the same time be considered important? The following
are basic tips to apply to a written article and to make it
appear clear and comprehensible.
Apply sub-headings
Make sure to use sub-headings that are meaningful. Take note
that these sub-headings need to be more contextual than cute or
clever. Though making it cute is nice, a sub-heading that is
more applicable and apt for the article's topic is a more
superior and enjoyable read than one who is striving only for
cuteness.
Use bullets
Bullets that are made out into a list are an easier read than a
lengthy list of paragraphs. It makes the article readable as it
is straight to the point. Bullets should be short and snappy and
must deliver the real deal. Not winding statements that really
do not go anywhere.
A paragraph per idea
Users of the web are a very harsh bunch. They want a good read,
a good article, and they want one fast and they want one good.
So a paragraph that contains more than one idea will more likely
cause their eyes to glaze over and intentionally skip these
ideas especially if they find the first few words, phrases and
sentence in the paragraph as not worthy of their attention.
Being credible is incredible
Credibility is the key ingredient for making an article stand
out among the hundreds and thousands that proliferate over the
internet. Since the web is a free for all medium, the source of
information for a specific article maybe unclear at times making
it sometimes a bit difficult to trust.
However, there are ways to increase the credibility of a given
article. One of the many ways is through graphics that are of
good quality. Another way is through the creation of outbound
links in hypertext. Through this method, a user is able to
connect to a link of another similarly related article thereby
giving to users the impression that the article's author did
good homework is not clearly afraid to show other users
similarly themed sites.
Boast it not
Writing that promotes and exaggerates a certain product,
information or subject and putting out claims that such a
product is, "the best thing ever" is very prevalent on the
internet.
However, such articles do very little in the user's perception
as they process that this detail is a mere overstatement if not
embellishment.
The best way to do it
According to a test conducted in measuring the usability of
articles submitted to sites, it has been discovered that
articles which were written in a succinct manner, had features
and key words that are easily scannable as well as a style that
is objective enjoyed a whooping one hundred and twenty four
percent user rating compared to articles that were promotional
in style (those who exaggerate). This type of articles have a
usability rating of zero percent. Meanwhile, articles that were
just concise had a fifty eight percent of user rating. Articles
that were strictly objective had a twenty seven percent of user
rating.
In summary, the more credibly valid an article is the greater
and higher the probability that users will be more attracted to
it, as well as the site that carries it.
Article may be freely published as long as the article, author's
name and Bio information with link remains in tack. If used for
an e-course, please inform the author via email. The contact
info can be found on her site.