There is significant value to providing an online resource library; including improving customer service, conversion (sales), SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and more. Regardless of industry or focus, the value of an online resource library is immeasurable and priceless.

Building an Online Resource Library for a company's website can be tedious and time consuming. However, when handled in a phased, long-term approach, it's easier and less stressful to accomplish.

Depending on the business and industry, website resources can range from such topics as:

• Glossary of Industry Jargon (Definitions)
• Demo Videos
• How-To Guides
• Tips On Caring For Product
• Getting the Most from Services
• Industry Related News
• Consumer Testimonials
• Case Studies
• Discussion Boards
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
• Additional Product or Service Appendices & Specifications
• and so on . . .

Building an online resource section can assist in the sales process to new prospects, help service current clients, and improve overall SEO (due to the encyclopedic nature of a resource section filled with related keywords, phrases, and rich content).

As well, when a resource section is updated periodically, over time in a phased approach; such new additions and updates satisfy Google's requirements for fresh content with regard to SEO.

To ignore developing a resource library(ies) for a website is to miss out on a huge opportunity!

Baby Steps, Build Over Time Without Stress

A resource library is something that can start small, then build over time as more information becomes available. Start with simple FAQ's or recent industry related articles, help tips, and so on. Over time, the website's resource library will begin growing with numerous industry related articles, how-to's, FAQ's and more.

• Having a wealth of ever-changing and updated content is positive in the eyes of search engines.
• Both consumers and search engines want to see fresh content to peak interest.
• Constant and regular updates show that a website attempts to stay current and relevant.

Google gives higher ranking in search results to recently updated sites, versus those websites that are rarely updated, or contain stale and out-dated information.

An Informed Prospect Makes A Good Customer

Providing a wealth of pertinent information is essential to any company's success from a consumer's point of view. An online resource library allows consumers and prospects the opportunity to make an informed buying decision.

When a prospect is informed, they are more likely to convert into a sale, and less likely to experience buyer's remorse. Ultimately, the customer will feel confident in the buying decision, and choosing the company that provided such details.

In addition, most will agree that a properly informed and educated customer is much easier to work with; than a customer who is ill-informed, or lacks the knowledge needed to make a positive buying decision.

By providing prospects the information necessary to educate themselves, a resource section allows employees more time to focus on assisting the customer, versus educating the customer; provided all the information on the website is legitimate and accurate.

Often informed and happy customers provide positive reviews and free advertising via word-of-mouth; or today's equivalent, social media posts and shares.

Excellent For Search Engine Ranking

Search engines such as Google have one main goal when it comes to ranking search results:

To provide visitors with the most relevant information to the search.

Therefore, in order for a website to come up first in search results, that website must have a great deal of descriptive, relevant information on the topic searched. In essence, the website must be an "encyclopedia" on the search topic.

The best way to accomplish such a feat, especially in today's world with thousands of competitive websites in any given industry, is to include an online resource library.

A site that is an "encyclopedia" on a particular topic, is going to get better ranking due to a wealth of keyword related information available. Websites with archives of important information rank better for related searches, compared to websites that lack such a mass of relevant information on a given topic.

Most "encyclopedia" type websites often receive first page ranking; in fact most receive first or second place listing, for searches.

Receiving high ranking in search results happens because having a library of relevant information using descriptive, related keywords and phrases throughout the site is paramount to proper search engine optimization (SEO).

If a descriptive keyword or phrase is not listed or mentioned within a website's content, then that site will not appear naturally in search results for that particular key term or phrase unless using paid advertising.

In addition, links to sections of the website's resource library from social media posts helps to build a stream of relevant incoming website links.

For instance posting on social media (such as Facebook, LinkedIN, Twitter, Alignable) about a Tip, Gallery Portfolio, or News Article each day, and providing a link to the page on the website with more information.

These incoming links help raise the website's ranking in search engines as "legitimate" and "trusted" sources, and thus improve SEO.

Fosters Goodwill In The Industry

Developing a resource library is also a good means of promoting goodwill with customers, prospects, and other supporting industry professionals.

Often sites offering free, "useful" information to anyone, regardless of cost or membership, are seen as attractive and worthy of return visits. As well, sites with such valuable information are often passed around amongst related industry professionals, and viewed as a good "go-to" guide.

Most people appreciate the wealth of information and honesty provided by a company's resource section, and prefer to do business with such upfront companies when needs arise.

Everyone Wants To Link To Useful Websites

When a website provides a wealth of quality information, people will link and post on social media about it. There's no stopping it, nor should a company want to stop such valuable incoming links.

Incoming links vary from social media posts, news articles, blogs, other websites and so on. These incoming links are important to building a website's organic traffic base. As well, incoming links are known to improve ranking in search engines.

As noted above, search engines take note of how many "quality incoming" links a website has. Websites with more quality incoming links are given more "points" per se, in their overall SEO score. The more points, the better ranking that website will receive when searches are performed related to that website's topic.

Thus the theory goes, the more quality incoming links a company's website has, the better placement the site will receive in search results on Google, and other search engines.

And best of all, quality incoming links provide the business with free traffic. The majority of the traffic is most likely potential prospects and qualified sales leads. If someone invests the time to follow a link and learn more, there is some level of interest.

Begin Developing a Resource Library Now

There are many important and inherent values to implementing an online resource library regardless of industry. Whether the goal is to better educate customers, improve search ranking, foster goodwill, generate more incoming traffic, or all of the above; providing an online resource library is a key factor to promoting a healthy and successful website.