You’ve heard the phrase “Content is King” made famous by Bill Gates in 1996 when he predicted the role content would play on the web. It still applies today, and as content has exponentially proliferated, it is clear that not all content is created equal. To make the most of your content, it must be usable and relevant.
Content usability is related to the ability of your user to engage with the content on your website or application. UsabilityGeek’s Yona Gidalevitz in her article gives tips to consider the digital format, quality, and ability for your users to share it across social media platforms. If your user can sit back, read, understand, enjoy, and share the content without excessive eyeball movement or mouse clicking, it is considered a good UX design.
Content must be kept fresh and relevant for your target audience. Ask yourself:
- Do I understand the user’s intent?
- Does my content solve the user’s problem?
- Is the content timely?
Relevant content is considered engaging and helpful. It is what makes your user ‘stick’ around. You know it is time to “freshen up” when your business offers new services or products that are not on your website or as your users’ interests evolve. Relevant content feeds into your SEO (search engine optimization) which is a topic in and of itself saved for another day.
Remember to have fun when creating your usable and relevant content! It is not going away anytime soon.
Sources:
- Yona Gidalevitz, (Usable) Content is King, Usability Geek
- Caroline Lwali, 16 Tips to Gage Your Content Ideas, ABC Social Media Marketing
- Michael Pasco, What Does “Relevant” Really Mean?, The Huffington Post Blog
July, 2016
Ninestone Team