When writing website content, like many aspects of online marketing, it is easy to get lost in a wash of statistics and numbers; desired word length, keyword ratio, and the Flesch Kincaid grade level are just some of these numbers. A lot of these numbers assist in creating effective copy, but they should not be treated as a rigid plan to write copy. Each site has different requirements, governed by the topic of the site, the knowledge level of site visitors, and the requirement of the Webmaster.

Content Length

The length of a web page is important, but not necessarily the same for every site, or every page. Blogs will, in most cases, require fewer words than a normal website. A blog needs to deliver a quick hit, because this is what blog readers are looking for. Websites trying to convey a technical subject will probably require the use of more words, and longer sentences.

For the average information websites, sentences should average around 10 words or fewer. Most pages will include longer sentences too. Wherever possible, the longer sentences should be dispersed through the page. This helps ensure the page is easily readable by all visitors. Paragraphs should also be short - approximately 4 or 5 sentences.

10 word sentences are very short. It would make a page virtually unreadable if you were to try and construct it entirely in this way. However, shorter paragraphs do help create a compelling looking page. Short sentences also make a page easy and appealing to read.

Keyword Density

The keyword density is the number of keywords in a page, in relation to the total words on that page. Initially, the search engines had a very rigid view on ideal keyword density. More recently, though, they have employed more complex rules. In addition, each of the search engines have different requirements.

Keyword density is a maligned facet of website content and SEO. It is important to include keywords. This ensures that the search engines have a way to recognize the topic of the page. Google, in particular, though, considers the supporting keywords on your page. As well as looking at a specific keyword the search engines also consider the stems of keywords and related keywords.

Ensuring that page copy contains relevant keywords, but not too frequently, ensures that the content reads well. Don't attempt to aim for a specific density. Ensure that the content reads well for your visitors, and the rest will naturally follow.

Flesch Reading Ease And Flesch Kincaid Grade Level

The Flesch Reading Ease test includes a lot of the above factors. This mathematical formula uses total words, sentences, and syllables to ascertain a numerical score. The higher the number, the easier the passage is to read. A score of 90-100 can be easily read by a 5th grader. It is believed that websites with a score of 60-80 are the most effective; this score is equivalent to an 8th or 9th grade reading level.

The Flesch Kincaid Grade Level test uses similar figures. However, the score it provides relates to a US grade level. The ideal score for a typical website is 8 or 9.

As with keyword density, sentence length, and paragraph length, you don't need to stick too rigidly to the advised figures. Your visitors won't calculate the Flesch Kincaid Grade Level of your website, but they do want understandable text.

In order to ensure that visitors don't simply click the Back button, you should also ensure that you use shorter paragraphs.

The total length of a page also dictates how appealing that page is, in general.

The reading age and grade level of the page can be used as a good indicator of how easy that page is to read.

If it reads well, and performs well, the numbers don't matter.

About the Author

Good website content is key to the performance of your site. WebWiseWords creates compelling content on any topic and for any website.