Optimum Word Count for Home Page Text

[Kingalan1]

We operate a commercial real estate web site (www.nyc-officespace-leader.com) in New York City. Our home page text is about 500 words. Currently the home page text is of a promotional nature and not very engaging.

We are attempting to write a check list for companies that are seeking to lease commercial space and make the text very useful, practical and engaging. However we are having difficulty covering all the bases with less than 1,000 words. If the home page text has 1,000-1,300 words is that detrimental from an SEO point of view? On the plus side I would think this would allow us to include several secondary keyword terms and to add plurals and variations of the two or three top phrases.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks, Alan Rosinsky

[Chris.Menke]

Alan,

More text on the home page certainly won't be detrimental to your SEO but it might be said that 1000 words is too much for the visitor to absorb.  Even 500 words on the home page is more than most will read.  Typically, the home page is seen as more of a starting point on a domain where the visitor can be told about the brand and given direction on where information lies within the site.

[Kingalan1]

Hi Chris:

My firm is competing against many large companies with very developed brands such as www.42floors.com, www.mrofficespace.com and www.propertyshark.com.

As a one man band it is a challenge to compete.

I am trying to differentiate myself by creating a brief "My Office Space Checklist" on the home page. Offering visitors practical advice; a series of pointers on Manhattan commercial real estate that will give the visitor a flavor of what the interior pages contain. I am hoping to make the information useful enough that visitors will want to read it. No one else is taking this approach so I am hoping it will generate interest, improve ranking and differentiate me.

Attached is a very rough draft, only conceptual, needs, lots and lots of work.

Do you think this could be effective?

Thanks, Alan

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[Chris.Menke]

my feeling is that you're better off with what you have now.  Maybe put the checklist on its own page.

[Kingalan1]

Thanks.

Curious about your reasoning. If the new text is useful and incorporates the right keywords what is the down side of replacing the existing content?

In terms of brand I can't very well compete against companies that are spending a million dollars a year on SEO and have a staff of 25.

Offering some very practical advice in a general sort of way on the home page may be a way to differentiate myself as no one else is taking that approach.

I would think if the new text is useful rather than generic it would increase engagement. However I am a real estate broker, not an SEO expert so I can't say.

Any thoughts???

Thanks, Alan

[Chris661]

I like your checklist approach and think it adds value for users of your site. Could you use it to generate leads? A "call to action" widget of some type that would send your checklist to users who leave their email. It's a pretty common scheme and maybe worn out, but I still go for it if the information sounds intriguing enough.

I know that doesn't answer your keyword question but I tend to agree with Chris that too much text on a home page can be overwhelming and cause a viewer to check out. I think you use the homepage as an overview an to "set the hook".

Nice site!

[DonnaDuncan]

I'm in agreement with Chris on this one as well.

That said, your checklist is an excellent idea, just don't put it on the home page. Instead use the home page to explain why your company is different from all the competitors you have alluded to, and direct them to a separate page with the checklist. Make it compelling. "Get real-world, practical advice in the form of a checklist" or "Avoid over-spending using our requirements checklist" or something else that clearly states what's in it for them.