Web Design Information

Increasing Conversions Through Action-Oriented Copywriting


I do site reviews. Needless to say, I see a lot of Web copy. One thing that always befuddles me is the lack of focus many site pages have. It's as if the writer assumes the site visitor will read the copy and automatically know what to do next. The fact is you have to know what action you want visitors to take before you get them to take that action. That means knowing what the preferred action you want visitors to take is, before you write the copy.

Think About It

Before you pen one word (for the Web or any other marketing medium), stop and think. "After reading this copy, what - specifically - do I want my site visitors to do?" Maybe you want them to click deeper into the site. Perhaps you want them to buy right then and there. It could be that you'd like them to call to discuss your product or service. Make a donation. Subscribe. Download. There are thousands of possible actions. Give some consideration to the question above and choose the action you most want your visitors to take.

Signposts Point the Way

The next step is to include signposts along the way so your visitors understand what they're supposed to do once they've read your copy. Leaving verbal clues helps prepare your visitors to take action once the time comes.

For instance, if you run a software site that offers a free trial download, you can prepare your visitors to get the trial version all throughout your copy by mentioning "free download" or "free trial." Your copy might read:

Email Lock software allows you to send emails and attachments securely through encrypted channels. With the free download, you'll discover just how easy it is to protect your messages and attachments from spying eyes. It's ultra-easy to use. You'll send emails just as you always have, and your recipients won't know anything has changed, either. The free trial version is fully functional and allows you to experience all the flexibility and simplicity of sending safe and encrypted emails and attachments.

What's happening as your site visitors read? They see phrases like, "With the free download, you'll discover?" OK, where's the download button? Then they read, "The free trial version is fully functional?" Wonderful! I want it! How do I download the free trial?

They begin looking for ways to take the action you want them to take. So tell them how!

Ready? And? Action!

Your job is just like a movie director's job. The director has to motivate and encourage his actors. He tells them why their characters are so important to the film. The director helps the actors understand the emotions involved with the parts they are playing. Then, once he has them all primed, he calls for action.

That's what you should do in your copy. Guide your visitors. Lead and nudge them in the right direction. Show them signposts that point to the action you want them to take. Then call for them to take that action.

Once you give your copy focus, once you define a goal for the copy and an action for your visitors, you'll find it easier to write copy that converts.

© 2005
http://www.copywritingcourse.com

Karon Thackston is a veteran copywriting pro who specializes in SEO copy. If your copy isn't getting results, let Karon teach you how to write SEO copy that impresses the engines and your visitors at http://www.copywritingcourse.com. Be sure to check out Karon's latest ebook "How To Increase Keyword Saturation (Without Destroying the Flow of Your Copy)" at http://www.copywritingcourse.com/keyword


MORE RESOURCES:

Web design firm's span reaches from Dnieper to Danbury
Danbury News Times, CT - Dec 1, 2008
... a city in western Ukraine near the country's border with Poland, got the idea to start the firm while working for another Web design outfit in Stamford. ...


Web Design Training – Spring Semester
Marywood University News & Events, PA - Dec 1, 2008
A two-part workshop in web design will be offered on Tuesdays, 1:30 – 3:00 pm beginning January 13. Part A: Introduction to Web Design (Jan 13 – Feb 24) – a ...


Corpus Christi Web Design Now Available – WebDesignRush.com is Live
PR-CANADA.net (press release), Montenegro - 14 hours ago
We’re catering to small businesses in Corpus Christi and surrounding areas to bring affordable web design to small businesses. Web Design In Corpus Christi, ...


Web design & FOSS
ZDNet UK, UK - Dec 1, 2008
Having just moved house, I had the interesting experience of being without a telephone handset. And my current mobile provider 3 [% coverage] can't always ...


Extra Cash for the Holidays or Anytime With the Launch of Diamonds ...
MarketWatch - 15 hours ago
Bayshore Solutions' award-winning Web design team utilized their Microsoft Gold Certified development capabilities along with their interactive marketing ...
Extra Cash for the Holidays or Anytime With the Launch of Diamonds ... International Business Times
Businesses Thrive Amidst a Recession Thanks to Live Help TMCnet
all 11 news articles


Mercy student 'wow's' in web design contest
Mirror, MI - Nov 30, 2008
Mercy High School Junior Michelle McCarthy was awarded first place in the 2008 Michigan Council Women in Technology Foundation web contest held at Lawrence ...


Web 2.0 principles for good web design
Bizcommunity.com, South Africa - Dec 1, 2008
Web design can be deceptively difficult, as it involves achieving a design that is both usable and pleasing, delivers information and builds brand, ...


SEO and Web Design are "Recession Proof"
About - News & Issues, NY - Nov 28, 2008
Silicon Alley Insider -- a group blog focused on the New York startup scene -- published a post today titled Recession Winners: Web Designers, SEO. ...


Three day Web design Conference will be held in Boston December 8 ...
PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung), Austria - Dec 1, 2008
2008-12-01 15:45:33 - December 8-10, 2008 - a tremendous event in the field of Web design and technologies will take place at Westin Copley Place in Boston. ...


David Cosgrove Los Angeles Web Design Wins Top Honors in Business ...
Press Release 365 (press release), FL - Nov 27, 2008
SIMSBURY, CT -- David Cosgrove Los Angeles Web Design has been recognized by StartupNation (http://www.startupnation.com) as one of the top businesses in ...

Web-Design - Google News

home | site map
© 2006