If you have a web site you probably know the importance of web copy—the words that cover your pages. The expression "content is king" is very true, as quality content adds value and interest to your site and encourages repeat visitors. Sure, keywords are important, and you should strive for keyword-rich web copy. But you should keep in mind that the readers—the people you attract to your site—don"t care about keyword density; they want quality content.
Quality content can also help boost your web site"s search engine ratings, as well as help to increase sales. But writing is not everyone"s forte, and creating compelling web copy can be a challenge. If you need great copy for you web site, consider these tips and techniques to improve your web writing.
1. Get Their Attention
One of the hardest things to do when writing copy for the web is to entice web surfers to stop and read your copy. You need an interesting title that will grab the reader"s attention and make them want to read more. Most web surfers skim headlines and titles to find the information they need, and if the headline does not catch their attention or let them know that they have found the information they are looking for, they will skip right over your copy.
2. Keep Them Interested
If you can successfully entice visitors to read your copy with a stellar headline, you then have to keep their interest. Provide information of value right away, and make the information easy to read and understand.
3. Make Your Content Easy on the Eyes
Besides providing useful information in a concise manner, the format you use for your web copy will also determine how successfully it keeps readers" interest. Most web surfers prefer to scan through information, so writing copy with bulleted headlines that makes it easy to find information is a good way to keep a reader"s interest. Also break up larger paragraphs and chunks of text into smaller pieces, as readers will often skip over large blocks of text.
4. Use a Casual Tone
The language you use also helps to make web copy compelling. Using positive and encouraging language will help to motivate readers to respond to your message. Using a casual tone is also usually preferred in web copy because it puts the reader at ease and is easy to understand. Unless you are writing for a technical audience, stick to general terms and language.
5. Tell Them What to Do Next
Compelling web copy also contains a strong call to action that makes readers want to do something after reading your message. Before you write your copy, make sure you decide exactly what action you want readers to take—it could be to make a purchase, visit your web site, join your mailing list, or any other action that benefits your business. Clearly state what you want readers to do and give them reasons why doing so will benefit them.
Make Your Web Copy Work
Keyword density is important for boosting your web site"s search rankings. But keywords aren"t everything. Compelling web copy can greatly contribute to the success of your business, as well as your web site by appealing to the human readers who need what you have to offer. When you use these tips for creating compelling, quality content, you not only give visitors something of value, it will also help to market your web site.