I am preparing to launch a new site, one of my final tasks is to write the content for the "About" page.
What are some of the things that should be included in a good "About" page?
Besides the obvious description of the general purpose or reason for the site, what else should be included?
How important is the about page?
The site I am working is informational. Calculators for my specific niche.
tangor
11:12 pm on Jul 7, 2016 (gmt 0)
Depends. Do you wish to reveal a physical location? In which case your true DBA, address, phone, fax (if you have it), email and, of course, site URL.
An About can be whatever you want it to say about your, your site, or your company (if there is one). Most About pages are a regurgitation of the index/home page which primarily lays out "what we do here" kind of things.
Most info sites do not need an About. G likes 'em because the page has the actual pertinent info (true name, address, other bonafides). Look at how it might be used and then make a decision.
NickMNS
12:07 am on Jul 8, 2016 (gmt 0)
Do you wish to reveal a physical location?
No! I work out of my home, I don't sell anything to consumers from the website. So no need for a physical address. I will include an email contact form.
fax (if you have it)
What is this "fax" you speak of? Maybe I should include my telex number!
My goal is to please "G", I view it as sacrificial offering of a few hours of my precious time. In the past I have used it as means of providing some background about the site, it is a tool to build trust with the users.
tangor
12:56 am on Jul 8, 2016 (gmt 0)
Okay... I view it as a waste of time for anything other than commerce or business. An about page sans a physical location is an exercise in ... whatever. And g will know it.
NickMNS
1:27 am on Jul 8, 2016 (gmt 0)
You are probably right, for my current unrelated site I have 1 in every 5,000 users that go to the about page. They seem to read the content.
However, I did have one entrance from Google on the about page.
tangor
3:34 am on Jul 8, 2016 (gmt 0)
Heh! I code for visitors. Not g. :)
YMMV
lucy24
4:42 am on Jul 8, 2016 (gmt 0)
What are some of the things that should be included in a good "About" page?
You have to strike a balance between (1) things users want to know about you and (2) things you want the user to know about you
Personally I think the about page is only for people who are already on your site and want to know more, so it should be noindexed.
