How to Edit Text Content Displayed on Any Website

Editing text content displayed on websites is crucial for improving user experience, search engine optimization (SEO), and accessibility. This comprehensive guide covers best practices and step-by-step instructions for editing website text content effectively.

Why Edit Website Text Content

There are three main reasons to edit text content on websites:

1. Enhance User Experience

  • Use simple language, formatting, and clear structure to make text easy to read and understand for visitors. This improves user experience.
  • Short sentences, bullet points, headings, bold text, images, and videos make content more visually appealing and engaging.

2. Optimize for Search Engines

  • Include target keywords in headings, first paragraphs, alt text, etc. This helps search engines understand relevance and content structure.
  • Improve readability with formatting and clear language so search engines can analyze content more accurately.

3. Increase Accessibility

  • Add alt text for images, transcripts for audio/video, descriptive link text, and use headings properly. This makes content usable for people with disabilities.
  • Follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to meet accessibility standards and include more users.

Best Practices for Editing Website Content

Follow these best practices when editing text content for websites:

Research Target Keywords

Conduct keyword research to optimize content for relevant search terms. Tools like Google Keyword Planner and SEMrush help find popular keywords.

Focus on Reader Experience

Keep the reader in mind when formatting content. Use simple language, structure content clearly with headings and lists, and highlight key points.

Check Readability Level

Aim for easy readability using Hemingway Editor or Grammarly. Plain language helps both user experience and SEO.

Include Target Keywords

Naturally incorporate primary and secondary keywords in headings, first paragraphs, alt text, captions, etc. Avoid over-optimization.

Add Internal Links

Link to related content on your website with relevant anchor text. This signals to search engines the purpose of each page.

Provide Alt Text for Images

Write descriptive alt text so visually impaired users understand images via screen readers. Also helps SEO.

Use Headings Properly

Format content in a clear hierarchy using HTML heading tags H1 to H6. This structures content for users and search engines.

Transcribe/Caption Audio/Video

Add transcripts with descriptions of visuals and sound effects. Captions also ensure accessibility.

Step-by-Step Guide to Edit Website Content

Follow these key steps when editing text content:

1. Research Keywords and Topics

Use keyword research tools to find popular search terms and questions related to your content topic. This informs content direction and focus.

2. Outline Content Structure

Create an outline organizing your content into logical sections and subsections based on research.

3. Draft Initial Content

Write initial draft incorporating target keywords naturally and structuring with formatting like headings, lists, and bold text.

4. Check Readability

Paste content into Hemingway Editor to ensure readability score is 8th-9th grade level or below. Revise complex sentences and vocabulary.

5. Add Internal Links

Link to related website content using relevant anchor phrases. Place them naturally within paragraphs.

6. Optimize Images

  • Add alt text describing image content and file name.
  • Use descriptive captions if relevant.
  • Compress files to optimize load times.

7. Format Headings

Use HTML tags H1, H2, H3 to structure content in hierarchical headings and subheadings.

8. Revise for Conciseness

Review draft to tighten sentences and paragraphs. Eliminate unnecessary words and repetition.

9. Confirm Accessibility

Validate accessibility with online testing tools. Confirm images, media, and links meet standards.

10. Proofread Final Draft

Double-check spelling, grammar, formatting consistency, links/anchors, and image optimization.

Conclusion

Editing text content for websites requires both writing expertise and technical knowledge. By following an editorial process that includes keyword research, thoughtful drafting, accessibility checks, and meticulous proofreading, you can publish optimized content that connects with users and search engines.

Focus on creating simple, scannable content through smart incorporation of formatting like headings, lists, and images. Provide transcripts and captions for rich media. Most importantly, understand your readers and what content best serves their needs.