Web Copywriting, SEO and the Web at Large

Websites Can Power Businesses

Posted May 29, 2009 | Posted By Web Copywriters at Webcopyplus
Categories: Web world at large | Tags: | 3 Comments | Share This

 

Websites Can Power BusinessesToo often, business owners think websites are merely digital brochures. They’re much more — if you get the right web writers, designers and developers onboard.

In fact, a well-planned and implemented website can be the sustaining engine of any business in any industry.

They can gain your business major exposure for a fraction of the cost of ads; distribute your information to any region; connect with specific audiences and markets; generate leads and sales 24/7, and much more.

Just ask Macinhome, a Vancouver-based Mac training and technical support company, which took the time to assemble a team of Web specialists. They made a considerable investment, and it starting earning the Mac consultants an extraordinary return almost immediately. Their website generates leads and sales weekly, and they’re now the fastest growing Mac consulting company in Western Canada.

Get a cheap template and spend a week fiddling with your site and chances are you’ll end up with an ineffective “digital brochure.” Carefully choose your resources and invest wisely, and you’ll reap long-term rewards with your devoted virtual ambassador.

How Copywriters Should Approach B2B Copy

Posted May 28, 2009 | Posted By Web Copywriters at Webcopyplus
Categories: Writing for the Web | Tags: , , | 2 Comments | Share This

 

How Copywriters Should Approach B2B CopyCopywriters often believe business to business copy should appeal to the intellect, not emotions. But, whether you’re writing web content for consumers or executives, remember you’re writing for people. And everyone has feelings.

In fact, business to business audiences are as emotional as business to consumers. Fear, greed and other motivators do play a role in their decision-masking process. You just need to make sure your business to business web content speaks to the right emotions.

1. Personal benefits
Again, business buyers are people, so drive home the personal benefits. Explain how your product or service will make them look gook in front of their superiors, advance their career or shave some hours off their workweek.

2. Business benefits
Business buyers are acting on behalf of the company, so clearly convey how their business will reduce or eliminate costs, increase sales, or help the company expand  into new markets.

Copywriters need to remember, whether writing business to business or business to consumer web copy, you need to engage online visitors emotionally, and treat them with respect.

The Next Web: Link Data

Posted May 25, 2009 | Posted By Web Copywriters at Webcopyplus
Categories: Web world at large | 1 Comment | Share This

 

Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web 20 years ago, is proposing a web for open, linked data that could do for numbers what the Web did for words, pictures and video.

He suggests unlocking raw data globally could unleash a new world of answers, which could connect people and build relationships, aid mankind and generate infinite opportunities.

If everyone partakes – including governments and corporations — “link data” could completely connect the world via unprocessed information, utilizing everything from event and personal data to medical and economic data.

So many more answers would be at our fingertips.

Watch Berners-Lee discuss link data on TED.

Benefits of Having a Website

Posted May 23, 2009 | Posted By Web Copywriters at Webcopyplus
Categories: Web world at large | 1 Comment | Share This

 

Most business owners understand and appreciate the benefits of having a website: it’s cheaper and more flexible than print; makes market expansion possible regardless of your size; works for you 24/7/365; and increases revenue stream opportunities. The list goes on.

But while websites provide a super highway for informational communication, there’s also the all-important relational aspect. Websites are critical in establishing and nurturing relationships with others.

Indeed, use websites to get your point across. Just don’t forget to leverage the opportunity to foster closer ties and create a solid rapport with your prospects and clients alike.

Whether you take advantage of e-mail, newsletters, online tools or one of many nifty Web 2.0 applications, remember your website can build authentic relationships that create desirable outcomes for all parties involved.

Top 10 Information Architecture Mistakes

Posted May 17, 2009 | Posted By Web Copywriters at Webcopyplus
Categories: Web world at large,Writing for the Web | Tags: | 6 Comments | Share This

 

Poor information architecture causes the majority of outright user failures and isn’t improving at the rate of other Web usability issues, reports usability authority Jakob Nielsen.

To determine why, he identified 10 long-term sore thumbs that together cost websites billions of dollars each year.

Many of these information architecture blunders can be quickly and easily corrected, such as made-up menu names. Why use “What makes XZY company tick” when people are looking for an “About us” button?

As Nielsen suggests, websites should communicate plainly and simply. Otherwise you’re likely frustrating your visitors and missing opportunities.

Check out Nielsen’s full report.

Selling Luxury to Penny-Pinchers

Posted May 11, 2009 | Posted By Web Copywriters at Webcopyplus
Categories: Website promotions | Tags: | 1 Comment | Share This

 

Consumers are cutting down on excess, forcing marketers to take a new approach to selling luxury.

It’s time to be more rational, notes Bert Helm in a BusinessWeek article: “Forget the usual talk of indulgent luxury. Instead companies from General Electric to Lexus are employing sober, left-brain pitches – special deals, useful features, long-term savings.”

Indeed, during these trying times, marketers must focus on value, practicality and durability.

Read: Advertisers Adjust to Market Luxury in a Recession.

Bios on the Web

Posted May 8, 2009 | Posted By Web Copywriters at Webcopyplus
Categories: Website promotions,Writing for the Web | Tags: , , | 2 Comments | Share This

 

Bios on the WebFor business and pleasure, people are placing bios on multiple sites, from Facebook to Twitter to LinkedIn. That’s because Internet users have an increasing number of accounts where we make friends, build networks or market businesses.

So it makes sense to invest some effort or resources in a bio, and even have a couple of different versions serving different sites and purposes. After all, you’re branding yourself on the Web, and the right bios can make a world of difference to how people perceive you.

Presenting consistent information in your bio(s) makes you appear more professional and memorable. However, personal brands are often disjointed on the Web because most people have different identities on each social network.

The good news is there are emerging technologies that will enable a transportable identity, which will empower Internet users to bring your identities with you. It’ll lead to an integrated social experience.

Meanwhile, whether you have one bio or 10 floating around the Web, it’s wise to ensure your profiles are up to date, consistent, and put your best side forward.

Browser Wars: Firefox Puts Flame to IE’s Butt

Posted May 5, 2009 | Posted By Web Copywriters at Webcopyplus
Categories: Writing for the Web | 0 Comments | Share This

 

Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (IE) dominates the desktop browser market, but definitely not in the design world.

According to W3Counter, IE owns 57.42% of the market, with Firefox in second position with 31.22% of the browser market.

Those numbers closely match our web writer blog stats, which is generally visited by business owners, writers and web designers. Since January, 57.86% cent of visitors were using IE, and 32.26% used Firefox.

However, our main Webcopyplus web writing site, which predominantly attracts web designers through several popular web design blogs, tells a very different story. In fact, during the same four-month period, 53.82% used Firefox, and only 22.86% used IE.

If web designers ruled the world, IE would be in big trouble! As it turns out, IE should be looking over its shoulder. Mozilla’s Firefox is eating away at the market share, Google is now a serious contender with Chrome, and Apple recently announced Safari 4 beta, promising to put forward the world’s fastest and most innovative Web browser for Mac and Windows PCs.

As entrepreneurs and employees rely more heavily on the Internet and Web-based tools to perform daily functions, browser innovations like faster processing, tabs, and new search features carry a lot of weight, and can instantly change the landscape of browsers.