Costly Web Copy Pitfalls

One secret to a site that sells: Look at your site from your customer's perspective. Another secret: Watch out for these common web copy pitfalls.

Welcome to?nothing

Look at your site's web copy. Does it begin with "Welcome to??" If so, get rid of it. It means nothing. It doesn't speak to your customers. It's just a waste of your customers' time and space. Rather than the worn out phrase, "Welcome to?" try a statement that captures the essence of your company, explaining it in terms that'll benefit your customers. Instead of "Welcome to Crazy Dave's CD Emporium," try "Crazy Dave's CD Emporium, where you can find quality CDs and crazy prices."

Where do I go?

If you track your site's metrics, look at your customers' paths. How many customers get past the home page? If it's less than desired, there might be a problem with your site's navigation. If you're one of those people with mega-content sites, add an internal search to help your customers find there way. If you're a smaller site, add navigation bars that update automatically when your site's structures changes or evolves.

"It's all about me." Your site is supposed to be about your customers not you. Let's face it: Your customers don't care about your Nobel Prize or that you were the first person to sell a condominium on Jupiter, they do care, however, about how your expertise can help them.

Quick tip: Visit your site. Does the copy contain more "we," "me," and "I" statements than "you" and "your?"

Marco?Polo

Have you ever visited a site to be sold on the product, then when you needed to ask a quick question, you couldn't find their contact information? The solution: Put at least an email address or phone number on each page, preferably at the top or bottom. Then put more detailed contact information on your contact page.

Rarely read but really important. Just the presence of terms and conditions and privacy policies instills confidence in your product. It also eases the minds of your more anxious customers.

Vague, iffy, testimonials

Testimonials are the easiest and perhaps the best way to capture your customers' attention and confidence. But simple statements saying that your product is good, won't work. Detailed testimonials praising how much your product improved their life work best. Another way to give testimonials more selling power, get a picture. Even better, get a picture with you customer using your product or benefiting from your service.

Vanessa Selene Williams an independent writer who writes for businesses and corporations. She currently offers 30-minute and 60-minute critiques and consultations. To learn more about Vanessa and her services visit her online at http://corp.vswilliams.com or email her at info@vswilliams.com.

---

Go Guerrilla

Jay Conrad Levinson coined the term guerrilla marketing, which I... Read More

The Importance of a Marketing Plan

There aren't many things in life that you would get... Read More

Cause-Related Marketing

Altruism. Corporate responsibility. Philanthropy. These are often used to describe... Read More

Marketing Through Associations

©2004 Jeffrey DobkinIf you're in direct marketing, you're continually looking... Read More

Marry Your Marketing Plan

Make a vow to keep up your marketing schedule in... Read More

Mortgage Marketing and Advertising ? The Magical Ingredient

Do you offer superior service, consistently close loans on time... Read More

Are You Marketing Backwards?

Marketing is like rowing a boat. When you know how... Read More

Linking Features & Benefits

I'm sure that you've had those Eureka! moments, too. When... Read More

There Are Benefits... And Then There Are Benefits

Not all benefits are created equal. Knowing which ones to... Read More

7 Tips to Grab New Clients

As a business professional, you probably realize the value of... Read More

Resume Writing Service Marketing

Marketing A Resume BusinessWhen starting a resume business, your marketing... Read More

CRM System: Give Meaning to Your Data

A customer relationship system (CRM) system uses technologically-driven strategies to... Read More

Up Your Income Next Week: 13 Ways to Have a Sale

Nothing gets people buying products or programs like a special... Read More

Customers: The Key To Successful Marketing

How well do you know your customers?What is the primary... Read More

Sell More Online By Offering a Big Fat BONUS!

I don't know about you, but I secretly love watching... Read More

What Our CAT Taught Me About Marketing!

Toby is one of our two family pets (both cats).... Read More

Profitable Marketing Programs Part 2: Figuring Break Even Point

In Part 1 -- I discussed how to consider both... Read More

Packaging Trends You Cannot Overlook (part #1):

1) People are buying in smaller quantities. Our busy lifestyle... Read More

Planning Your Postcard Marketing Campaign

Before you create your postcard, do a little planning. Ask... Read More

10 Steps To Getting Paid For Your Marketing Materials

How many times have you heard the same sound bites... Read More

Self-Promotion on a Zero Budget

Recently, I've received a few e-mails from people asking me... Read More

Five Tips for Trade Show Success on a Small Budget

No matter how small your marketing budget, your business can... Read More

Making Your Mark With The Millennials

Generation Y--The second-largest crop of young people in America's history,... Read More

Creating Customer Value

The purpose of business is to create and retain a... Read More

Practice Marketing: How to Answer What Do You Do? to Increase Prospects, Publicity and Profits

"What do you do?""I'm a CPA. What do you do?""I'm... Read More

Practical Advice to Generate Successful Campaigns Using Merged Lists

You could end up with poor results when designing a... Read More

FREE Means MORE Business

Why give freebies?We have all seen freebies at trade shows... Read More

Second Dose Of Marketing Vitamins

Organizations often get stuck in neutral when it comes to... Read More

Online Advertising Versus Traditional Media Advertising

Before I compare today's online advertising with traditional media advertising... Read More

Marketing With Brochures

With the explosion of the internet and online businesses many... Read More

The Importance of Interpersonal Communcation Skills

Interpersonal Communications is the transmission of information from one person... Read More

Why You Buy

Behavioral economics is a new science that sheds light on... Read More

Simple Marketing Strategies Versus an SEO Line of Attack!

Each and every day those of us on the Internet... Read More