Write More Effectively For Your Web Site

When many businesses begin the process of creating or overhauling their Web sites, design and getting customers there in the first place top their concerns. But what about the content? Referred to as “web copy,” the words on your Web site could make or break it for potential customers browsing your site and making decisions. And it’s not quite as simple as copying and pasting from your print materials to your Web site. Plenty of research out there shows that people read on the Internet far differently than they read on a page.

So, what are the rules for writing Web copy to get better results? Here are a few guidelines, from the OPEN Small Business Forum:

1. What’s your goal? Know your objective before you start drafting Web copy. This way, you avoid meandering copy and including every single detail about your biz and its services.

2. Keep it short. This is probably the most important rule for Web writing. Studies show that users spend quite a bit less time scanning and reading a page on the Web than they do print. It is of utmost importance that you give them the info they’re most likely looking for (hours, location, products, services) upfront and in a concise manner. How much time users are willing to spend on your site can depend on who’s looking; that’s why it’s also important to:

3. Know your audience. Who are your most frequent customers? Men, women, young, old? Are they busy families or singles? Knowing your audience helps you set the tone of your copy and address their most likely concerns.

To read the full list of rules, click on the source article below.

Source:

OPEN Small Business Forum: 5 Rules For Better Web Writing

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