How’s your website copy?
07/12/09 16:30 Filed in: web hints
Websites are not just about latest design or js-query plugins. Content is king on the internet and so is your copy and layout. Is it compelling? Does it instruct the reader to do anything? Is the layout attractive to read ? Will it keep people coming back for more or even get them to do what you want them to do (such as call you, sign up for your newsletter etc)?
A few ideas to kick-start killer copy for your websites:
Keep it web-safe or, if possible, sans-serif for the net. These are much more compatible across operating systems and browsers and sans-serif is much easier to read on the screen over big chunks of text.
Entice your reader but don’t give too much away. The headline draws them in and keeps their interest before they hit the back button. Headlines are often rushed but shouldn’t be overlooked. Try a question in the header or play on the reader’s needs or wants. For example, a header called “The best web designer software” is OK, but “Make great looking websites that get you sales” is much better and most people would certainly read on to see what the software is and if they can afford it. Regardless of the truth in this software example, it is more important to focus on the end result (something that the reader wants) rather than just what it is that you are talking about. Play on those emotions.
Breaking text up on the net is common sense for most but still it is possible to see sites with endless text. Use sub-headers to divide your text. Most readers skim read the text before deciding to fully read the content so if there is nothing standing out of interest (such as 3 or 4 great sub-headers) then they’ll close that browser down. Break up the text with bullets so that it is more manageable. The internet is a medium to be quickly digested like a newspaper or magazine; not War & Peace.
Are you telling the reader to do anything? Sure, sometimes you are giving information for free or to build your brand but what do you want people to do after reading your webpage? Do you want them to call for quotes? Share the information? Retweet it? Sign up for your newsletter? What is the purpose of your writing? You must have one and you must tell people what you want them to do. People like being told what to do and will often comply. If there’s no phone number or enticement to email and order (or even “buy now” button), or any call to action whatsoever, then they probably can’t work that out for themselves. They then won’t interact further with your copy other than just read the text and will probably just back out if uncertain.
Avoid “I” as much as possible. Write in the 3rd person if possible or just use “I” as sparingly as you can. 3rd person adds depth to your web business and an authority and “you” brings readers closer to your product and service. It absorbs them and personalises your copy.
Apart from playing to a reader’s wants and desires, you’ve got to not be afraid to offend. Be provocative. Remember, rocking the boat isn’t always a bad thing. We’re not talking about outright offending readers but just writing in a way that isn’t aligned with traditional thinking habits or reasoning. Stand out and write different. The best copy on websites gets attention by being provactive and interesting, being different. Don’t always say the same things everyone else does. “This is who we are, this is what we do, this is how we do it”. Is there a better way? Acting different will get you links, diggs, referrals and sales.
Check your spelings and grammer as much as possible. If you can’t spel properly then how can you build trust with your customers or readerz? Unfortunately, it’s a pedantic world we live in and you have to just make sure you get it wright.
Above all, make sure that you think about not only how you design a page but also want you put in it. All too often business owners just rehash their brochures or other printed materials and this often doesn’t match the web. Take your copy and spin it for the web. You’ll be creating your content different for each medium and will find the results more effective after that.
Any further ideas you know of? Please share below.
yuZool.com builds fresh funky websites and email marketing campaigns that are respectable, accessible, user-friendly, on time and on budget. Please contact us with more information on your latest design project needs.
A few ideas to kick-start killer copy for your websites:
Font
Keep it web-safe or, if possible, sans-serif for the net. These are much more compatible across operating systems and browsers and sans-serif is much easier to read on the screen over big chunks of text.
Headline
Entice your reader but don’t give too much away. The headline draws them in and keeps their interest before they hit the back button. Headlines are often rushed but shouldn’t be overlooked. Try a question in the header or play on the reader’s needs or wants. For example, a header called “The best web designer software” is OK, but “Make great looking websites that get you sales” is much better and most people would certainly read on to see what the software is and if they can afford it. Regardless of the truth in this software example, it is more important to focus on the end result (something that the reader wants) rather than just what it is that you are talking about. Play on those emotions.
Bullets and sub-headers
Breaking text up on the net is common sense for most but still it is possible to see sites with endless text. Use sub-headers to divide your text. Most readers skim read the text before deciding to fully read the content so if there is nothing standing out of interest (such as 3 or 4 great sub-headers) then they’ll close that browser down. Break up the text with bullets so that it is more manageable. The internet is a medium to be quickly digested like a newspaper or magazine; not War & Peace.
Calls to action
Are you telling the reader to do anything? Sure, sometimes you are giving information for free or to build your brand but what do you want people to do after reading your webpage? Do you want them to call for quotes? Share the information? Retweet it? Sign up for your newsletter? What is the purpose of your writing? You must have one and you must tell people what you want them to do. People like being told what to do and will often comply. If there’s no phone number or enticement to email and order (or even “buy now” button), or any call to action whatsoever, then they probably can’t work that out for themselves. They then won’t interact further with your copy other than just read the text and will probably just back out if uncertain.
The Is don’t have it
Avoid “I” as much as possible. Write in the 3rd person if possible or just use “I” as sparingly as you can. 3rd person adds depth to your web business and an authority and “you” brings readers closer to your product and service. It absorbs them and personalises your copy.
Don’t be afraid to offend
Apart from playing to a reader’s wants and desires, you’ve got to not be afraid to offend. Be provocative. Remember, rocking the boat isn’t always a bad thing. We’re not talking about outright offending readers but just writing in a way that isn’t aligned with traditional thinking habits or reasoning. Stand out and write different. The best copy on websites gets attention by being provactive and interesting, being different. Don’t always say the same things everyone else does. “This is who we are, this is what we do, this is how we do it”. Is there a better way? Acting different will get you links, diggs, referrals and sales.
Spelings
Check your spelings and grammer as much as possible. If you can’t spel properly then how can you build trust with your customers or readerz? Unfortunately, it’s a pedantic world we live in and you have to just make sure you get it wright.
Block quotes
Use the blockquote tag to bring out important sections of the text that you want readers to see and break up the text and add variety to the page. Your readers will thank you for it.
Above all, make sure that you think about not only how you design a page but also want you put in it. All too often business owners just rehash their brochures or other printed materials and this often doesn’t match the web. Take your copy and spin it for the web. You’ll be creating your content different for each medium and will find the results more effective after that.
Any further ideas you know of? Please share below.
yuZool.com builds fresh funky websites and email marketing campaigns that are respectable, accessible, user-friendly, on time and on budget. Please contact us with more information on your latest design project needs.
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Portfolio Stream
27/06/09 01:42 Filed in: new sites
Following the success of our Spring Portfolio collection, we've added a "Portfolio Stream" section to yuzool.com.
This is a cool little way of displaying our most recent work in a series of different flash slideshows. We hope to grow this as much as we can and have a little fun in the process....
This is a cool little way of displaying our most recent work in a series of different flash slideshows. We hope to grow this as much as we can and have a little fun in the process....
New Site Update
27/06/09 00:20 Filed in: new sites
Everything is now on the homepage in a nice little "scrolling" menu. This keeps things tidy and all in one place (and looks cool too).
Other changes include:
- More portfolio links
- More info about services
- Easy way to contact us
We are also happy to be soon introducing latteperday.com to the world. That should be fun.
