The Importance of Unique Content

There's a lot of talk about unique content in the web design world, but what does it mean and why is it important? Unique content is really just saying that the stuff on your page isn't the same as the stuff on anyone else's page. Unique content is absolutely essential to building a website.

Probably the biggest reason it's important is for search engine optimization. If you don't know, search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of making your website look better to the algorithms that big search engines like Google use to look through content online. The programs they use (often called spiders or crawlers) creep from site to site, indexing information so that when someone types in the search bar, the search engine can access the information. A lot of factors play into SEO, but unique content is a big one. Search Engines have realized that their visitors don't want to see the same stuff on every link they bring up. Think about how frustrating that would be. You're trying to find something and the first link doesn't have it. You try the second link, but it takes you to a different website with the same article! This would be a nightmare for search engines, so their algorithms look for sites with unique content and put those sites higher up in the results page.

One thing unique content helps you avoid is duplicate content. Duplicate content is basically just content that seen in almost exactly the same way somewhere else on the internet. If a crawler finds duplicate content on your site, or worse yet, plagiarized content, it can even penalize your search engine rankings!

If you really wanna kick it up a notch though, you need to pair your unique content with unique value. Unique value is a bit like unique content. It's when your website provides something that you can't find anywhere else. It's one thing to say things different than another website, but it's a whole other ball game to really provide something new. For example, let's say someone is looking up flights to Uruguay. Your site might provide flights, but loads of sites do that! Maybe your site cross references their flight plans with not just hotels, but restaurants, transportation and local events and landmarks! Now you're starting to get somewhere. The search engines' algorithms are starting to account for unique value as well, so don't be caught with your pants around your metaphorical ankles.

But past SEO, you're trying to reach people with your website. Otherwise, you wouldn't have put it on the internet. You have to think about what your potential viewers want and, surprise surprise, they want unique content just like the search engines do. Why would someone want to come to your website if it's filled with nothing but information that can be found anywhere else on the internet? Why wouldn't they want to go to the websites with the real scoop, where all the action is happening? Unique content isn't just important for SEO best tactics, it's important for your connection with your viewers.

Unique content is essential for the production of a website. It gives your site it's own flair, it's own charm. It's a big boost to your search engine rankings and it helps to keep your potential return viewers interested. If you're not producing unique content, unique value, If you're not bringing something new to the table, you really have to ask yourself why you're even making a website in the first place. To increase visitors and website ranking, then Content marketing is your key factor for a successful in the future.