Keeping it Simple - Content for Everyone
When I visit a website, I really don't mind the technical terms, and all the acronyms; but, to be honest, if i go to a website in search of information and there are internet related terms and acronyms (many of which I have no idea what they mean, and I honestly don't want to look them all up), then I simply close that browser window.
First, I am not uneducated...and, I have a great understanding of the internet. I also know that people more familiar with internet terminology like to throw around terms and abbreviations like they are commonplace...this might be true among your circle of peers and friends, but it is really not very appealing to many people - and, I am one of them.
I am not saying I know everything, nor am I claiming to be an expert...I am just being honest. If I write a post or article, I explain EVERY acronym (or specialized term) very clearly.
An example of this is Wealthy Affiliate (WA)...if I plan to shorten it out during my content, then I set the standard immediately and up front - WA = Wealthy Affiliate...I also make certain I explain what Wealthy Affiliate actually is...I am never assuming my traffic is composed of people with less than average intelligence, I simply want them to know I understand that SOME people might not know what I am referring to...this way no one is left out of the conversation.
I just tried to leave some comments for several different websites...some had to do with finance, and some website hosting - about halfway through the articles, I couldn't even remember what I was reading because I was bogged down with acronyms and other terms that I, intuitively, did not understand...sure, I had heard the terms before, but I really got frustrated trying to Google every term...it just seemed like too much work - now, I am not lazy, but I never intend to "study" an article...just like a good motion picture...if it doesn't keep me interested, and doesn't get to the point in the first few minutes, then I simply leave and go elsewhere.
I do not believe I am alone in this mindset, so I offer my opinion so people do no run off their customers - please, take the extra time to write good, conversational, and understandable content...I, personally, write as though I am explaining something to a classroom of young learners...I never want them to feel unintelligent, and I surely do not want them to feel left out of the conversation...to me all my traffic is valuable - so, why leave anyone behind? And, most importantly, why push them to another site once they are on yours?
Recent Comments
10
Excellent post, Paul. We really need to be reading our content from an outside reader's viewpoint.
It is so easy to get sidetracked and forget that not everyone visiting our site understands all the lingo...I am guilty myself sometimes. I think if we take a second look, we can keep the interest of those who might just be learning for the first time.
See more comments
True points we must write for our readers, our readers are not researchers. Researching takes a lot of time, which is often not the intention of the reader.
You are right....it is easy for our "hard sought" visitors to click away and find content more suited for them, if ours becomes inundated with less than common terminology.