5 quick tips for writing website copy that sells

Content marketing can propel your business to the next level, but you can't launch an effective strategy until you have high-quality, compelling website content.

Why? Because your website is the 'hub' that your audience travels back to. If your website content falls flat, fails to engage the reader, or even worse, turns them off, you'll lose sales.

To find out how you can write persuasive web copy that sells, take a look at my top five tips…

Tip 1. Do your research (well)

Proper research is crucial to the success of your web copy. If you're not specific with your aims or who you're writing for, your website content will fall flat.

Before you begin, identify the number one goal you want to achieve and your target audience.

Use the following questions to help you identify your aim/goal:

• Do you want to get more enquiries?
• Do you want more email signups?
• Do you want to sell more products?
• Do you want to re-engage existing customers?
• Do you want to entice new customers?

Use the following questions to help you identify your target audience:

• Who do you enjoy working with?
• Who will bring you the most profit?
• Who do you have the most experience with?

Once you know exactly who your audience is and what your aims are, you can begin to create your content. Because knowing who you're writing for and what problems you solve is essential, particularly if you want to motivate them to act.

Tip 2. Break up your text with headings, subheadings and bullet points

As an experienced website content writer, I always use a range of headings, subheadings and bullet points to break up my text.

Headings should spark something in your reader that compels them to read on - a good tip is to brainstorm a list of ten and pick the best one.

Headings are also an excellent opportunity to put your creativity into action. And if you put enough effort in, you can come up with something that not only engages your reader but also improves your SEO strategy too!

Similarly, the use of short paragraphs, sentences and bullet points ensure your web copy is readable, engaging, and most of all, persuasive. I mean that's what it's all about, isn't it? Persuading your reader to take action.

No lengthy boring text here, please!

Tip 3. Always think quality over quantity

Don't use twenty words to deliver your content if you can make do with five. Keeping the reader's interest is critical, you'll notice an increase in bounce rates if you fill your website content with waffle.

Instead, keep things short and sweet, and engage with users in a way that resonates with them. Think about the words your target audience use - you don't want to sound like you've swallowed a dictionary for breakfast, do you?

Tip 4. Focus on the benefits and outcomes your customer will receive

When you're writing any copy, it's important to emphasise the benefits and results your customers will receive. If you're writing copy for a new product launch, for example, be explicit about the benefits and outcomes to your reader.

Use these questions to help you understand the benefits and outcomes of your product/service:

• What problem does it solve?
• Why do they need it?
• How is it better than competing products?
• How does your product/service help?
• How is their life going to be different after buying your product or service?

5. Focus on one goal or CTA

Every page of website copy should have one, clear aim.

Attempting to achieve numerous objectives on one page can lead to confusing content and perplexed readers. Instead, use different pages to deliver unique CTAs. With the opportunity to add as many webpages to your site as you need to, there's no need to cram your content into one area.

Producing top-quality content can be time-consuming and tricky, but it's also highly effective when it comes to selling your products or services. To learn more about the benefits of working with a professional website copywriter, contact me, Hannah Gibson, today at hello@hannah-gibson.co.uk