The Art of (Bad) Web Copywriting

by | May 24, 2012 | Advertising, Branding, Business Success, Interactive

Website copywriting is an art of its own. Although it contains some traditional elements, it’s very different than blog writing, editorial writing, ad copywriting….you get the idea. However, more often than not, some brands/companies and even self-proclaimed professional writers don’t see this distinction. Here are the most common web copywriting mistakes:

1. Too much copy
This mistake often steers visitors towards the Close button. Too much copy can be overwhelming. The lead should be up front, important information such as who you are and what you do should be easy to find. Now, I know some of you might be thinking that you need a lot of copy for SEO purposes, but that’s not all true. Yes you need to have more than a sentence or two, but even that one sentence, if it contains the right SEO-friendly keywords, can be very effective. Copy should be clear, concise and to the point and SEO optimized.

2. Unorganized copy
Closely related to the “too much copy” issue, this again can cause visitors to steer clear of your site. If your copy isn’t organized and just plopped in without a method to the madness, your site will not perform the way it should. The site-map and navigation should fall under the copywriter’s responsibility – web copy needs to not only read well, but it needs to flow and navigate well too.

3. Not SEO optimized
I touched on this in first mistake but let me expand. SEO is important for website performance and it should not be ignored when writing web copy. Utilize search engine key word tools and look for terms that you should be using in your web copy. Don’t forget the meta tag titles and descriptions – they provide the hook in search results that could turn a search into a visit.

web copywriting

4. No benefits
Similar to advertising, web copy should reflect the benefits of your brand or service. What’s in it for your customers? Why should they choose your brand/service? What do you have that your competitors don’t? Your website can often be your first selling feature, and if you don’t have the benefits outlined you could end up losing out.

5. Not focusing on a target market
Whom are you speaking to? Web copy should speak to your clients and what they need – tailor the message. It’s not enough to simply introduce your brand/service – you have to also talk about what you can do for your clients. There’s a difference between “we offer this” and “we offer YOU this”. If you’re talking to your brand/services more than you’re talking to your clients, your copy needs a refresh.

These 5 mistakes seem like common sense but just take a look around the web, and I guarantee that there’s no shortage of websites that fall victim to at least one of the afore mentioned web copy no-no’s.

 Do you have any examples of poorly written sites that we could all learn from? 

Niche Market Design

by | Aug 24, 2011 | Advertising, Business Success, Interactive

Today it’s all about the niche market.

Designing for a niche is a well-targeted sales strategy. When your product caters to too many targets, the customization becomes diluted and your product doesn’t stand out. Nowadays, with so many options out there, you really have to make what you’re offering reach out and grab your target’s attention.

Because of its specificity, a collaborative, agile niche market design that really speaks to consumers at a deep level is long lasting.

Print, news and web are changing the game, demanding more comprehensive design materials that allow for interaction, and the reflection of social media integration. It’s not all about pretty pictures. But whether it be print, web, packaging or specialty products – the niche is a lucrative place to look.

Engaging an optimal audience is also possible through niche marketing. As reported by the Globe and Mail, when designing women’s shaving cream packages, Toronto Agency Juniper Park took little things into account like the fact that women shave in the shower – easy gripping – and that they like scented products – colourful variations.

Reaching out to a target in this way creates deeper dialogue between its members – who are already more invested in the product than the norm. Said Paul Kemp Robertson, editor of Contagious, in a article over at Marketing Magazine: “The beauty of niche is you get people who are very engaged and create thicker connections…The smaller the network, the thicker the connection.” These are the people that will pass along the information with others they think will be interested, because they are.

Like most successful marketing, the key is having that agile perspective. To really put yourself in the shoes of your target, and create something distinct that they will want to share and discuss.