How To Make Your Web Site Copy More Effective

Is your web site copy working as well as it should be for you? I've been doing a lot of web content writing lately, and taking notes along the way. There are a number of things I've noticed that I'd like to share with you, starting right from the home page.

As you've probably noted yourself, there is an endless array of home page copy and graphic approaches being used. Different sizes, colors, shapes, type faces -- wow! That tells me, right off the bat, there is no single "right way" to create a home page. But there is a commonality among elements -- features that should be part of every home page, including mine and yours.

Whatever creative approach is used, the purpose of all website home pages should be the same: 1) To make your visitors feel welcome, and 2) To establish you as the preferred resource for whatever product or service you're promoting. So ...

You want to start off by using the right words. Let your visitors know that they are welcome to your site. How? Say so straight out: "Welcome To ProfitSpace, Your Source For Profitable Net Marketing Info." (That's a greeting, not a headline substitute, folks!)

From there you want to help your visitor to get oriented. Talk about your website -- why it's there and how your visitor can benefit. Remember those five little words ever on your visitor's mind: "What's in it for me?" Tell them before you lose them! And speaking of lost ...

Be sure to provide your visitors with a site menu (navigation buttons) so they can easily find their way around. I've seen the buttons positioned top, bottom and side; whatever works best for the design of your site is fine.

It always surprises me when I don't find the webmaster's contact information readily available. Aside from any legal ramifications, it's much to your business advantage to make it easy for your visitors to get in touch with you. If you're not accessible, how will you ever get people to trust you?

Make it as easy as possible for people send off an email to you. Set up a button or clickable link that will allow your visitors to make instant contact.

A privacy statement is an absolute must. With all the spamming and scamming online, people need to know more than ever before that their personal information will not be shared or misused. For $19.95 you can use the Privacy Statement Wizard.

Or ... If money is an issue and you feel comfortable doing it, you can pick up the privacy statement from a website that you trust, and make the appropriate changes to customize it for your business.

Here's a small detail that many folks forget: Put a copyright your home page to label the website as your exclusive property. I don't know if it has legal value of substance, but it doesn't cost anything and it certainly can't hurt. Set it up like so:

"Copyright (c) 2005 Name of Your Business. All Rights Reserved."

Pretty basic stuff, and enough for one day I think. Next time, we'll delve deeper into copy and design. If you have any specific questions, please send them on in -- it will only help me do a better job of helping you. :-)

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