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Web Design Podcast (7) – Content is King

Author:: Paul Boag
Published:: 04 October 2005
Categories:: Classic shows
Reading time:: 2 minutes

We have received a lot of request to look at the subject of content management. So, in this weeks podcast we will be looking at why content is important, how to make your content accessible, give some general advice on copywriting and final how to make the most from your content management system.

Warning! The post you are viewing is out of date and almost certainly no longer accurate. For more topical posts, check out the “related reading” at the bottom of this page or drop me an email with any questions.

Download this show.

Below is a brief outline of the things covered in this week’s podcast as well as links to some of the sites mentioned:

Poor quality

Let me just apologise in advance for the poor quality of the audio this week. Due to the last minute death of my motherboard we had to change the audio setup and so things are a little ropey. Back to normal next week (hopefully).

This week’s news

View the new boagworld.com mission statement!
Listen to the Web Essentials 2005 podcast
Try out the new web design podcast at webaxe
Read Jacob Neilsen’s top web design mistakes of 2005
Learn how to use Dreamweaver 8 to create sites built using web standards

Main Feature: All about content

Why is content so important?

Because users are not impressed by design anymore
Because content is not always shown in the context of your design (Web feeds)
Because written content improves search engine rankings
Because good content keeps users coming back for more
The accessibility of content
WAI guidelines insist on accessible content (14.1 Use the clearest and simplest language appropriate for a site’s content.)
Learn more about making content accessible.

General advice for web copy

Make it personal because computers aren’t
Don’t patronize
Remember the medium (its hard to read on screen)
Avoid marketing talk
Avoid jargon
Remove happy talk
Read more advice on writing effective web copy

Managing content

Remember you do not always need a full cms!
Establish your needs before looking for a solution
Content management systems wont solve your content problems
People see updating copy as a unimportant part of their job
It is important to have a web editor to bully people into contributing and in order to ensure consistency across the site.
Provide training on more than just your CMS. Cover good design and copywriting too.
Make sure your training is supported written documentation
Invest your money in the people that edit your site NOT the technology.
Learn more about managing site content.

About me

I’m a UX consultant and conversion optimization specialist with 32 years in digital. I help teams create user experiences that work; winning support, improving results, and making change stick.

Contact me

Email: paul@boagworld.com
UK Based – Clients in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia.

how I help

UX Strategy – Spot what’s blocking a great experience and get a clear plan to fix it.
Improving Conversion – Simple, evidence-based changes that make every click count.
Coaching & Leadership – A sounding board to help you lead with clarity and confidence.
Training & Workshops – Hands-on sessions, playbooks, and self-learning so your team keeps improving.

Dylan Valade

Puma

Actionable Insights

Paul has the ability to see what is hiding in plain sight. He validated ideas under consideration and provided new, actionable recommendations. The most valuable insight was illustrating how our issues were symptoms of an inefficient UX project team structure.

Sarah Zama

Oxford University

Genuinely brilliant

Paul is genuinely brilliant to work with. He’s funny, thoughtful, and really good at meeting you where you are. He matches my energy, communicates clearly, and always seems to know how to say the right thing. Working with him feels easy, constructive, and properly enjoyable.

CREATIVE BLOQ

Magazine Interview

Demonstrates his prowess

As we talk, a pronounced pattern in Boag’s patter becomes apparent: he enthuses about a topic, demonstrates his prowess and then knocks himself down with a swipe of self-deprecation.

Gerry McGovern

Author of Transform

Smart & Generous

Paul is one of the smartest, most passionate, most generous people I know in the web / online industry. He is truly committed to helping organizations become simpler and more customer-centric.

RICHARD HURST

QUEEN MARY’S UNIVERSITY LONDON

An inspiration

Paul is an inspiration, I only wish I’d worked with him earlier in my career. His ability to understand and break down problems and offer advice, drawing on his many years of experience is unrivalled. He genuinely wants to get the best out of you and your organisation and you can’t ask for more than that.

NONDAS PASCHOS

MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES

Invaluable

Medecins San Frontieres, being a decentralised international association, faces challenges in meeting the needs of a diverse global audience. Paul and the team at Headscape have been invaluable in helping us see the potential of digital for doing this. They have helped us recognize the changes needed to engage with our connected audiences, bringing clarity and innovation to our digital strategy.

JENNIFER RUSSELL

THE SAMARITANS

Supportive and Challenging

It’s been a pleasure working with Paul. He manages to be both supportive and challenging at the same time and has a very accessible approach. It’s been a really inspiring process and I would love the opportunity to work with him again.

JOANNA SOUZA

UNICEF

Entertainingly Informative

We can count on Paul to be entertainingly informative. When we bring him to speak at our workshops, people walk out of the session energized and with a better understanding of how a multichannel journey should be assessed and optimized. Thanks Paul!

RIVKIE LIEBERMAN

MOTIF STUDIO

Best investment

You’re the best investment I’ve made thus far in my business, and that includes a previous coach, paid mentors and many courses! Your expertise is absolutely invaluable. Thank you!

Brooke Mills

Beginning Boutique

Moves the Needle

It’s not a question of whether I’d work with Paul again, but what we’re doing next. He takes the time to deeply understand your business and goals, then moves the needle across the growth levers that matter most.