A professionally presented business website is a powerful and essential marketing tool: it's the first thing prospective customers will look at before they decide to contact you.
If the copy on your website is not written to an acceptable standard, it may be losing you customers. It's not enough just to have amazing graphics and imagery: you need the words to make it complete. Is the spelling correct? Are punctuation marks in place? Does the copy make sense? These are questions that website designers should be asking themselves before they upload a new site.
One of the biggest flaws with website copy is inconsistency: for example the word 'website'. Some sites spell it as one word, some as two words; as far as I am aware both are acceptable, but not both versions on the same site! In my opinion, a lack of consistency will deter a significant amount of would-be customers from using the services of a company that has not taken the trouble to proofread their website.
Poor spelling on a website is another costly but avoidable mistake. The majority of visitors will leave the site very quickly if they find too many spelling errors. This again will give them the impression that the site owners don't really care; and they would be right! I am also convinced that copy that has been 'padded out' with insignificant trivia is also a big turn-off for visitors ? clear, concise and informative is the order of the day.
Anything containing textual content should as a matter of course be proofread: it's important that not only are mistakes in spelling, punctuation and grammar found and corrected, but that the text flows smoothly for the reader. The copy on a website should not be treated as the 'poor relation' of the project. You can have the most up-to-date, eye-catching graphics available but you will still need well-written copy to compliment them.
There are vast amounts of web design companies around that will happily inform visitors how they can supply them with a state-of-the-art website but then insert second-rate copy, which totally negates any good work they have achieved. This will reduce the initial impact of the site, and more often than not will have an adverse effect on business.
Remember: if visitors to your site can't find the information they are looking for because of badly written copy they will simply leave the site. The only people to benefit will be your competitors.
I am a professional proofreader of hard copy items and website copy. I also write web copy and occasionally accept small copy-editing assignments.
Have you seen Jesse James on the... Read More
Congratulations! You've got a brand new site and it's doing... Read More
The "Wow" factor that accompanied the introduction of streaming media... Read More
It is a well-known fact that a successful business depends... Read More
Most NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) don't understand these important aspects of... Read More
Have you heard of 'Babel Fish'?It's a service provided by... Read More
This is a two-part article about creating a web site... Read More
From my personal experience of around two year as home... Read More
Website design firms come in all shapes and sizes.When choosing... Read More
Everybody talks about the importance of testing your sales copy... Read More
You have probably viewed many Flash-based components while surfing the... Read More
The most popular method to build webpages today is to... Read More
Here are a few programs I can't do without. They're... Read More
Novice and professional designers alike ? you may probably be... Read More
Let me repeat that.."The technology may change, but human nature... Read More
Questions to ask when designing a Web Site for your... Read More
Most websites use similar fonts and as a result have... Read More
If someone doesn't know you personally, will they trust you... Read More
Creating your web site can be a tricky process. Choosing... Read More
Part one of this article is available at ... Read More
They say the eyes are the window to the soul.... Read More
QUESTION: My business is very small, just me and... Read More
How many of the visitors to your web site take... Read More
Regardless whether you manage a small business, charitable organization, or... Read More
Your web site is the key to your success on... Read More
Building a website can be overwhelming, here are some design... Read More
"It's good.""You've done a nice job.""I don't like it."At some... Read More
Your web site is like your car. Both are significant... Read More
Surfing the internet is basically an information-fest! From intellectual discussions... Read More
The top ten fonts for website design might change in... Read More
An application is not ready for use unless you have... Read More
As a web designer, I have a personal interest in... Read More
Are you in a dilemma whether to create a mini... Read More
7. Create high quality content - make clear points with... Read More
There are six important characteristics that can play a major... Read More
A question we frequently get asked is, "how do we... Read More
To create your own great banner, you only need five... Read More
It has been said that the best online sales copy... Read More
I am constantly bombarded with all sorts of advertisements, single-page... Read More
We've all read the countless publications about effective web site... Read More
1. Assemble a web site development plan that is integrated... Read More
What is a Website Template?Many smart and savvy businesses are... Read More
Remember the day that you got your new computer (or... Read More
The concept of web designing based on the nature and... Read More
With so many different configurations internet users have their computers... Read More
Owning your own website is a must if you are... Read More
Content is king. Without content your website is an empty... Read More
Web Design is a very subjective process. Your idea of... Read More
Where does a person start when setting up a website?... Read More
Novice and professional graphic designers, we are aware that you... Read More
You have only 10 seconds to impress your potential buyer.... Read More
They say the eyes are the window to the soul.... Read More
Color is everywhere and conveys a message even if we... Read More
There are often many mistakes encountered when creating a webpage... Read More
Daily article:One of the most debated subject among webmasters is... Read More
There is nothing wrong with making your own website if... Read More
The most important person that you need to please when... Read More
Why your site should be developed with CSS and semantic... Read More
Web site design has certainly, in the past decade, evolved... Read More
So how do you know when your graphic designer costs... Read More
Have you put a lot of effort, time, and money... Read More
All websites have a homepage. It is the most important... Read More
Should Generating Revenue From A Website Be The Prime Motivator?... Read More
We can't emphasize enough the importance of including keyword-rich content... Read More
Colors convey emotions and emotions heavily influence the decision-making process.... Read More
There are several very good reasons why you should consider... Read More
Web Design |