400 pages of content make a good website?

Ref: Bretts successful site in Google

[Macbeth]

I was revisiting one of the webmaster world classics being Brett's Successful Sites with Google alone.

I noticed in the last paragraph he was advocating 400 pages of real content.

Now could someone tell me please what the hell you would write about? Because surely the aim here is not to recreate an encyclopedia site like wiki-p?

Is this just to get to the SERPS because I'm not sure i could pre-sell 400 aspects of widgets!

[oddsod]

Be imaginative. There are more than 400 pages you can write on any widget site. Do some reviews of widgets, reviews of widget services, some history to put it all into context, some opinions about widgets, a page or two of jokes about them, unusual things people have done with widgets, legal issues relating to non-working widgets, translation of widget related terminology.... there's virtually no limit. Then move to widget related terms for your next 400.

[monkeythumpa]

And if you can write about widgets and their relation to tsunamis or Paris Hilton that is golden. (short term)

[oddsod]

LOL

But, yes, the professional blonde - as she's known - does have pulling power.

[too much information]

Go to the Google Keyword tool, type in your widget name, then from all of the suggested keywords make a content page about that term.

For one of my keywords G fed me well over 200+ topic ideas, now I just have to write one per day. Once I hit the end of the list I can start over and write a 2nd page about each item.

[arrowman]

Now could someone tell me please what the hell you would write about?

There are only two things to write about:

1. The topic of your site
   
2. The things people search for
   

If you can combine the two, there is only one thing to write about. That makes it easier.

[Livenomadic]

I have long believed that making up good articles topics is a skill. For my tiny tiny tiny hobby niche I have over 2000 article ideas.

I found the way guide to finding article topics was to browse through any girl magazine.

10 Reasons to Widget
10 New Widgets for Fall
10 Tips for Widgeting
1001 Expert Tips on Widgeting
100 Greatest Widgets if last year
10 Best Widget Deals
Newcomers Guide to Widgets
Interview with John, the Widget Expert

etc.. etc..

The idea is to take on the same topic from multiple angles. You might think it is silly but people really do find them useful (if they are well written articles).

[Webwork]

Make it valuable to the reader: Relevant, accurate, real life experience, succinct. Nothing reads quite so poorly, and is more a disservice, as thinly fabricated expertise published in pursuit of money.

[cooldoug]

Dont use broad keywords, use fine keywords, that are specific to your site:)

[webmstr]

Very interesting, but what if you don't want a huge website, with all those pages and text making it all too wordy? What if you just want sleek, clean and visual?

Doesn't that also constitute a good website? I am just approaching this from a design/artistic standpoint. I personally don't like sites that are overdone with text, especially when it is white on a dark blue background!ugh
lol

[VegasRook]

You can have a 10,000 page website that is highly usable.

What makes a website "messy" is the person doing the layout--not the content.

"400 pages of content" should read "400 pages of informational on-target content". Pages of fluff does nothing for a website in regards to visitors and retention.

[PatrickDeese]

Very interesting, but what if you don't want a huge website, with all those pages and text making it all too wordy? What if you just want sleek, clean and visual?

In that case you should use pay per click to advertise your website.

[webwoman]

What if you just want sleek, clean and visual?

A 400 page site can be sleek, clean and visual. This is the art of effective navigation.