1. Image is Everything
Ever go into a store that's poorly laid out or just looks crummy? If so, it probably didn't make you want to come back, let alone, do business there.
The same is true for your website. Before people read one word of copy, they form an impression based on the look of your site. A poorly designed (or ugly) site can create a bad impression or even turn people away in a second never to return.
With millions of pages online to compete, there's no excuse for skimping on the design. If you want to be taken seriously as a professional - and want to attract readers - then having a clean looking site that's easy to navigate is critical. If you don't have the skills to pull this off, consider hiring a professional web designer. Remember: You won't get a second chance to make that first impression.
2. Compelling Headlines
The headline is by far the most important part of a web page because it's what the visitor and the search engines usually look at before anything else.
Your web pages will get more attention if you add benefits to your page headlines as opposed to using generic headings. You can either add the benefit next to the headline or underneath it for maximum effect. For example: After using the generic page headline of "Services", you could use "E-Commerce Website Design Increases Revenue."
3. Copy Layout
While people don't have a problem sitting down with a newspaper or magazine to read pages full of copy, they won't stand for it on the web. Many web pages fail to attract readers simply because the copy is improperly formatted to appeal to their short attention spans.
Web copy should be broken up into short paragraphs because readers tend to scan web pages rather than read them in their entirety. Give them little bite-sized chunks of information to help them get through the page.
You can also draw attention to important information by using bullet points, subheads and pull quotes. These not only help break up the text, but they allow the visitor to get your main points without having to do a lot of work.
4. Call to Action
If your goal is to get the reader to do something specific (buy your product, sign up for a newsletter or download a brochure) it's important that you tell them to do it once they're finished reading.
Many websites fail because the reader is left wondering what to do next once they've finished reading the copy. You probably wouldn't go to a foreign place without a map or guide, so it makes sense to provide directions to your web visitors. In addition, having clear goals at the end of your pages increase the chances that you'll get the kind of responses you're looking for.
That's why it's important to place your call to action right after the final paragraph. Tell them exactly what you want them to do. In fact, some Internet marketing experts suggest putting the call to action throughout the copy - especially if it's long. This gives readers the opportunity to respond immediately to your offer should they choose to do so.
5. Make Your Message Clear
Remember the web visitor we talked about earlier? How they have short attention spans and like to scan web pages instead of reading them? Well, if your message isn't clear and upfront from the get go, they'll probably never get it.
There's an old marketing adage that goes like this: Tell your readers what you're going to tell them; Tell them; and Tell them what you've just told them.
In the online world there's no time for ambiguity. Make your message clear and put it up front so the readers know exactly what you're talking about.
Is your website underperforming? It could be because it's missing one - or all - of these key points.
- Nina Menezes
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"Always think outside the box and embrace opportunities that appear, wherever they might be.
~ Lakshmi Mittal
" The most practical, beautiful, workable philosophy in the world won't work - if you won't.
~ Zig Ziglar "
If you care at all,you'll get some results. If you care enough, you'll get incredible results.
~ Jim Rohn
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