How to Write Great Content for your Web Site

In the web site design process, it is the client's responsibility to provide the text. After all, who knows your business better than you? One option is to hire a professional writer (and DeCarlo Studios can suggest some great ones!). But if this is not in your budget, we have a few helpful tips to help you get started.

Before you begin, consider the purpose and goal of your web site. What actions do you want your visitors to take? Do you want your customers to: Find your office? View your calendar of events? Check out your portfolio? Call you? See that you are the best? Once you define the goals of your site, you will start to see a clear plan of what type of content you will need to develop and write.

Sometimes our clients already have their text written before the project begins. Sometimes it's hard for the client to visualize how to write without knowing what the site will look like. DeCarlo Studios is happy to provide design ideas with spaces left for suggesting copy and content for the client. This way, the client can visualize how much text they need to write and it often helps them to generate ideas.

Set Small Goals
Once you have determined what you need to write, set small deadlines to meet your final goal. Work on a page at a time, chip away at articles, and enjoy the satisfaction of seeing it all come together.

Make it Interesting
Sell yourself! Provide information that you know well. Consider your clients' needs and write about their interests. Imagine yourself in their shoes. What would you want to read or hear about to make you want to buy?

Keep it Short and Simple
When people are checking out web sites, keep in mind that they do not read, they scan. Keep the content short and simple. Divide long articles into subheads, and use short paragraphs and bulleted text.

Use Targeted Words
As you are writing, use targeted words and key phrases in your text that people might search for when researching your business or similar businesses. This will help build your SEO so that when people search these phrases, your business will show up near the top of the lists.

Use Spell Checkers
Always use a spell checker and also check for grammatical errors. Have another person read through your text. Print it out on paper and read it again. Mistakes can sometimes be found that you didn't notice before just because you are looking at it in a different way.

Hire a Professional
When in doubt, and if your budget allows, hire a professional copywriter. They can often do a quick interview over the phone and gather enough information to compile interesting and informative content. Sometimes a small investment in a professional will be well worth your money, especially if it keeps your web site project moving and makes your company look great!