10 Tips for Writing Web Copy

One of the most important aspects of a website today is the webcopy - sometimes called the sales letter.

In days gone bye, banners and graphics were all important but now it's the words that do the selling.

This short article will give you some pointers about writing good webcopy.

  • You must know your target audience. How old are they? are they married? single? professional people? etc

  • You must know your product or service inside out. From this knowledge you will be able to list all the features of the product and from the features all the benefits. You sell by quoting the benefits - NOT the features.

  • You must be able to come up with a Unique Selling Propostion (USP)- that is the outstanding reason or benefit why your product or service is better than your competitors.

  • You must know what your Most Wanted Response is (MWR)- i.e. do you want your visitor to order your eBook, or join your newsletter,or download a free report?

  • Your ability to write good, interesting headlines may be critical to your success. It is said that 8 out of 10 visitors will only scan your headline and if it doesn't interest them, they click away. Tests have established that one headline can be 18 times more successful than another headline.

  • For your body copy you could discuss a problem (which your product or service will solve) or tell a story. We all like to read stories - don't we? Use small words and small paragraphs. Write as if you are telling your best friend something she/he is desperate to know.Use plenty of white space as this makes your text easier to read.

  • Place your guarantee in a prominent position - don't hide it in a PS at the bottom of your webpage.Be clear what it is i.e. 30 days no questions asked, or maybe 90 days...Whatever it is, make sure that your visitor knows about it.

  • Testimonials must also be placed near the top of your webpage as this can give greater credibility to your product or service.

  • Be precise when you get to the close and you're asking for your MWR. Make sure your visitor knows exactly what to do.

  • So you have written your webcopy and it's not as successful as you hoped.

    What do you do then?

    You change something - I would change the headline first and track the results. If it is still unsuccessful then change the headline again and track the results. Change and track until you have the winning combination.

    The short version of the Coywriters Formula is :

    A. for attract i.e. get your visitors attention


    I. for interest i.e. keep their attention


    D. for desire i.e. make them want your product or service.


    A. for action i.e. get a response - get your Most Wanted Response!

    As you visit websites look for eye-catching headlines or phrases which interest you. Look keenly at the subject lines of emails even spam! When something impresses you, make a note of it in a "swipe file". This is a file where you can turn for inspiration when the ideas are not comimg.

    About The Author

    Written by Joe McHenry 2003 All rights reserved.

    To find other tips, advice, together with tools and resources to help your web marketing business visit http://www.affiliate-resources.net

    In The News:

    • pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Is Your Content Provider Selling You Ripped Content?

    Ripped content: well the term itself is self explanatory. Content... Read More

    7 Formulas for Articles That GET READ!

    Many of us have been asked to write an article... Read More

    Be That Copywriter Everyone Wants to Work With

    So many copywriters think that it's enough to be a... Read More

    Five Steps To Online Copywriting Success

    One of the most important priorities of evey online business... Read More

    Killer Business Headline Templates - So How Do You Write Killer Headlines in Minutes? You Cheat!

    According to Branding and Advertising legend, David Ogilvy: 5 times... Read More

    Copywriting Businesses - How You Can Get Started

    Do you have the training and skills needed for copywriting?Are... Read More

    Website Promotion: 10 Secret Motivational Triggers That Make People Buy

    Unless you know the secret motivational secrets that make people... Read More

    Better Copy: The Interview is the Key

    Most of us spend our days persuading others to buy... Read More

    Designing for a Non-English Audience

    Having worked as a digital publishing specialist at a large... Read More

    How Writing Radio Can Help You Become a Better Writer

    Knowing how to write, and write well, is a skill... Read More

    Prevent Procrastination With Positive Pressure

    My wife and I recently bought a house.It's currently being... Read More

    Why Copywriting Is The Secret To Your Online Success

    Over the last decade, the number of companies selling their... Read More

    5 Rules for Effective Written Sales Communications

    Most salespeople have great ideas, but when it comes to... Read More

    The Five Rules Of Influential Web Writing

    Building a professional reputation requires a campaign founded on your... Read More

    3 Keys to Better Online Copywriting

    Doing the copywriting for your own website without the proper... Read More

    Calls-To-Action: Making Them Fit Makes All the Difference

    It was going so well, so what happened? Many copywriters... Read More

    Copywriting Secrets Of Indias Mystics

    Hi everyone,Been ruminating on this one for a little while... Read More

    Getting Over Copy Shock

    A few weeks ago I wrote some copy for a... Read More

    10 Things You Should Expect From Your Website Copywriter

    As websites and electronic commerce are becoming more and more... Read More

    How To Test The Body Of Your Sales Copy For Weaknesses

    Your sales copy is the life source of your business.... Read More

    Copywriting for the Web: Do You Have What It Takes?

    In the world of web copywriters, many will try, but... Read More

    How To Really Connect With Your Customer In Your Copywriting

    One of the least talked-about areas in copywriting education is... Read More

    10 Tips for Aspiring Freelance Copywriters

    Every week I receive a couple of emails from people... Read More

    Copywriting: Drafting Rules for Professionals

    As a professional contractor who wears many hats, you owe... Read More

    How to Get Instant Attention

    Most of us have seen a heckler at a baseball... Read More

    Copywriting Makeover: Search Engine-Friendly Can Also Mean Visitor-Friendly

    When it comes to search engine optimization, copywriting plays a... Read More

    How To Write Headlines That Grab Your Prospects Attention

    It doesn't matter if you're writing an article, a newspaper... Read More

    11 Ways to Get an Editors Attention

    I worked as a business magazine editor for about 20... Read More

    Welcome Informed Criticism of Your Work

    When you come to 'know' something, there is a temptation... Read More

    Be Contagious... Spread The Word!

    "Melissa" invaded our computers in late 1999, then "I Love... Read More

    Power Keys To Writing Power-Packed Marketing Copy

    In order to maximize your sales efforts and fully seize... Read More

    Writing Copy for Voiceovers

    As with any of the performing arts, an effective voiceover... Read More

    Custom Writing Services: Market Overview

    Market identification Custom writing services market is a sector of... Read More