The competition is intense, but Google still dominates the search engine market, drawing far more search users, requests and ad revenues than all its rivals put together, reported eMarketer.

The New York-based research firm estimates that Google raked in 75% of US paid search advertising in 2007, up from 60 per cent in 2006. Number two, Yahoo, collected a mere nine per cent share, while all others divided 16% of the leftovers.

But with over $8.6 billion going to search engine advertising in 2007, that 16% stake still equals nearly $1.4 billion, noted eMakreter. And with search spending expected to nearly double to almost $16.6 billion in 2011, even a small piece of the pie represents serious revenue.

While growth of the US online population has slowed in recent years (projected to be 3.1 per cent in 2008), the number of the nation’s Internet users will reach nearly 200 million in 2008.

That’s according to eMarketer, which analyzes Internet information from more than 3,000 sources.

The Internet research firm also reports Internet usage in the US is becoming a daily habit. Moreover, it reports US Internet users spent 15.3 hours a week online last year.

eMarketer also projects that this year there will be 193.9 million US Internet users — two-thirds of the population. By 2012, 217 million Americans will be online, it reported.

Meanwhile, Internet World Stats, which utilizes data from Nielsen, ITU and other reliable sources, reports 215 million Americans already use the Internet — 71.4% of the US population.

In either case, those are huge numbers and worth tapping into — regardless what business you’re in.

Consumers consume information all day long, so it’s difficult to catch their attention with copywriting — forget about influencing them to actually do something.

So, as a copywriter, what choices are there?

Many. But the best one, which proves to work time and time again, is delivering information that’s relevant to the target audience.

Information is communication. Communicate about something that has nothing to do with a particular person’s interest, and you won’t connect. Speak to his or her needs or wants and you get a completely different response.

When it comes to the Web, copywriting isn’t just something you store and retrieve. To engage online visitors, web content must at least touch on topics or issues that are important to the targeted individual.

That’s when web content connects, influences and converts. And that’s when your web content actually works on the behalf of your business.

When creating web content, always go for relevant. It’ll consistently get you the best return.

When delivering web content courses, business owners often ask, “How do you find a good copywriter for the Web?” Whether you’re based in London, Toronto or New York, the answer is simple.

Do an online search.

Good copywriters know how to craft copy that persuades people to act, be it to enlist as a member, sign up for a newsletter or purchase a widget.

Good web copywriters can deliver potent copy for people. But they also understand how to write effectively for search engines. They help businesses choose and strategically use select words that will drive targeted audiences to their websites.

Consequently, an effective way to find a good web copywriter is to see who shows up on the top rankings of Google, Yahoo, MSN or your search engine of choice. If they can promote themselves, they can promote you.

Plug in words surrounding web copy writers, professional web copy or what have you, and away you go. A few searches and you’ll be well on your way to finding the right web writer to optimize your website and your business.

Information layering is a practical technique that helps online visitors quickly gather information relevant to their needs.

In brief, high level information is provided with links to more detail and supplementary web content.

Webcopyplus employs this strategy for clients, and finds it especially useful for IT firms, which generally need to target a wide-ranging audience.

Take, for example, an IT services page that offers an overview of offerings, including Network consulting, Disaster planning and Web hosting. Each noted service would include a link to more specific information.

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Despite major drawbacks of Flash-based sites, some business owners continue to fall into this trap.

As previously noted in Backbone Magazine, Webcopyplus recognizes Flash is an outstanding tool for adding audio, video and animation to a site. However, Flash-based sites can’t be indexed by search engine spiders, which account for the majority of traffic to websites. As a result, these beautiful websites often draw little, if any, traffic.

Moreover, Flash intros prove to be a waste of time and resources. Fortunately, most businesses and designers are moving away from this pointless gimmick, which squanders visitors’ time and web owners’ money.

The Flash topic is one that many individuals are passionate about. In fact, the noted Backbone article prompted a prolonged Ubuntu Forums debate that involved more than 3,400 viewers, more than 300 votes and more than 100 responses.

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Your web content creates reality. Each word you use directly impacts how your online visitors perceive your business.

Do online visitors:

• See value in your product or service?
• Trust your business?
• Invest in your offerings?

Get 18 tips to help you create the right reality on the Web.

The content you post on your website delivers certain messages to consumers — both consciously and subconsciously.

The difference between “inexpensive” and “cheap,” or “pre-owned” and “used” is massive.

Along the same lines, consider a restaurant menu that has a burger for $10.99 or $11. You’ll find the $10.99 at a greasy spoon that’s positioning itself on giving a “steal of a deal.”

Up it a penny, as you might find at a quaint bar in a trendy part of town, and that business is striving to convey value through a more refined, upper-class experience. Status comes into play.

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Your web copywriting doesn’t describe reality, it creates it.

In fact, every word you feature on your website has the ability to build — or damage — how prospects perceive you. What you say and how you write it directly impacts whether an online visitor:

• Sees value in your product or service
• Trusts your business
• Decides to invest in your offerings

Untapped Opportunities on the Web

While many business owners are beginning to understand information is the currency of the Internet, few act on it. This is despite the fact that the Web allows smaller businesses to go toe-to-toe with larger, more established companies.

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Too many web copywriters continue to churn out superfluous, self-serving web content.

Webcopyplus was recently handed a project that was pulled from another writing firm. The draft we were asked to “clean up” and optimize for search engine spiders required more than that. It needed a complete overhaul.

Web copywriters shouldn’t aim for clever. What the writer is saying is, “Look at me! I’m writing!” It’s intrusive and distracting for the reader.

The most effective web writing is objective, clear, concise and specifically written for the intended audience. Don’t slow readers down with unnecessary words. They are just dead words that get in the way.

In fact, as important as it is to focus on what needs to be said, web copywriters should also focus on what doesn’t need to be said.

On the Web, less is more. Always.