|
|
|
Do s And Don ts Of Website Copy
ntroduction
We often complicate writing with
Does your website copy big words and jargon because we
sound stiff and unnatural? Are think of it as more sophisticated
you using marketing-style and academic. No one wants to
language to sell, sell, and sell look stupid, but use too much
your reader the latest and jargon and it’s indubitably
greatest product or service? If apparent that we’ve achieved the
your website is nothing but an opposite affect. Indubitably
empty box wrapped up like a apparent? Huh? Present your
pretty package, you probably need information in a clear and
help with your website copy. factual way, so the user is not
left feeling frustrated or
Clear, compelling copy attracts confused.
customers and persuades them to
stay and take a longer look at Do write the way you speak
your site. And if you’ve written
killer copy, they’re likely to With the exception of some
return again and again. You might industries that need to apply
feel overwhelmed with where to technical or industry related
start, but no worries. You don’t jargon, most copy can be written
necessarily have to scrap all using a more informal and
your hard work and start over friendly voice. Pretend you’re
again. A few fundamental rules having a casual conversation and
will help get you on the right your website copy will come
track to great website copy that through with less effort and more
works and will keep working for sincerity.
you.
Don’t be wordy
Do write in plain language
Too many words weaken your
message and make you appear less Do use an active voice
credible. Check out some of the
options you can use to eliminate Use an active voice to put your
wordiness. words into motion.
Active: He won the Young
• "At this point in time" to Entrepreneurs award.
"now" Passive: The Young Entrepreneurs
• "Due to the fact that" to award was won by him.
"because"
• "With regard to" to "about" Do remove clichés
• "It is possible that" to
"maybe" Avoid the use of tired clichés.
• Step up to the plate
Do change nouns into verbs • Cutting edge
• Market-leading
Nouns slow your reader down by • Industry standard
making sentences longer. It’s • Increase by leaps and bounds
distracting, especially to online • Time is money
readers. Check your website copy
and change your nouns to verbs. Do place keywords in strategic
positions
• "Conduct a discussion of" to
"discuss" The most emphatic parts of a
• "Give consideration to"to sentence are the beginning and
"consider" end.
• "Make the assumption of"to Before: The Monster contract will
"assume" be a money-maker, despite our
• "Reached the conclusion about" early concerns.
to "conclude" After: The Monster contract,
despite our early concerns, will at Invesp are a dynamic group of
be a money maker. published authors, congressional
speech writers, journalists,
Do apply graphic highlighting freelance writers, and more.
Check out www.invesp.com.
Underline, italicize, and bold So who did you just read about?
are effective ways to highlight Hard to forget! Repetition is a
information. Also, organize a successful technique to get your
long list of thoughts by using message across and capture the
headings and bullets. readers’ attention.
Do use repetition Do write a great title or
subtitle
Use repetition to highlight and
reinforce important terms or A good title makes it easy to
ideas and make them stand out. determine the goal of the page
But word to the wise if you use copy. Here are some dos and
repetition, use it sparingly or don’ts for writing a good title
you may drive the reader away by or headline:
boring or annoying them with the
same message over and over. • Keep titles short. Six to ten
words is more than enough.
Here’s an example:
• Lose the irony. The title
“Invesp writing services can help should be a reflection of your
with your marketing and content. Witty and indirect
promotional efforts. The Invesp titles are often written out of
team of writers holds degrees in context, increasing the
English, Professional Writing, likelihood that users will miss
and Journalism. The professionals your page when searching for
information.
• Letter Writing Tips for
• Write a title that stands Effective Sales
alone. A title that stands on its
own instantly tells the user what • Persuasive Writing: Hypnotic
the webpage contains. Titles
• Use words commonly used by • Top 10 Myths about small
other websites. Your page will businesses
more likely be found during a web
search. • Vintage Clothing by Steven
• Don’t underline. Underlined And there you have it. Some dos
text is confusing because and don’ts of website copy
underlining is associated with writing that will get you on your
hyperlinks. way to great copy. Happy writing.
Some examples of a good title:
About the Author:
Ayat Shukairy serves as a Director at INVESP Virtual Assistant Services. She published several
articles and writes regular blogs for INVESP
Read more articles by: Ayat Shukairy
Article Source: www.iSnare.com |
|
