Drafting Effective Web Copy - Words That Sell

There is bound to be a time when every business will have a low ranking. The precise cause may not be known, but a solution is available. With some effort, any website can be transformed back into the traffic generating machine that it once was. With a little knowledge of how search engines function and by using the right keywords, the damage can be repaired.

To keep with the times, businesses need a web copy writer on board that is highly experienced in SEO (Search Engine Optimized) keywords. If you're creative enough, you can take a stab at it yourself. Use caution though, you want the content to be rich in keywords but not overpowering.

Some tips to remember are:

Everything you thought you understood about writing, forget it. Web copy needs to be conversational in tone meaning traditional no-no's such as fragments and sentences ending in prepositions are all right in this format.

Try using a font that is easy on the eyes. Webmasters tend to prefer Times New Roman, Verdana, or Arial. Also, the content should flow.

SEO Guidelines

The rule of thumb when writing SEO web copy is, "less is nearly always more." Since most Internet surfers scan over the content on a website for important points, it makes sense to keep your paragraphs short and direct. Toss out the fancy phrases that make you sound like a snob. Stick to the basic command of the English Language.

Paragraphs: at least 3 sentences but not more than 5 Headers: 5-8 words Sentences: should not exceed 20 words Total words: 350

The keyword dilemma is a never ending vicarious cycle that leaves you feeling numb at times. What are keywords? Who will use these keywords? What search engines should I use? And the list goes on.

Search engines generally have a little box where you may type in a keyword or a keyword phrase in order to locate websites. So, if you typed in "mechanic" or "repair professional", the search engine would find all websites that have those words in its content. Keyword positioning on each page plays a role in determining how long it takes the search engine to locate your site.

Prior to starting, you want to list all of the words that could possibly be associated with the goods or services sole on your website. These words need to be realistic. A bona fide web copy writer can weave these words in and out of the content so that the copy reads well and is informative at the same time.

Your focus is your home page. Headers should consist of no more than 8 words and no less than 6. Strategically place your keywords within the headline. This will increase your odds.

Remember, the home page is just a glorified sales letter so you want the copy to flow but get straight to the point. A conversational tone is important here so write just like you were talking with an old friend. Still, be sure that the content has those keywords placed throughout it so that the information still flows.

Mistakes to Avoid

Writing search engine friendly content takes time and practice. The biggest mistake new writers make is jumping into writing SEO web copy without a clear understanding of how keywords work. The pages are full of words that make no sense to the reader, and ultimately result in no hits.

Remember to write about the benefits as opposed to the features of the products or services you sell. People always want to know what is in it for them if they choose to buy from you so focus content on this objective.

Not editing your web copy properly can also be a huge problem. Grammar errors leave a poor first impression. Rule of thumb is to have a second party review your work, and be consistent!

Recall that web copy is just a series of informative pages. Every page should prod visitors to the next. The goal is to convince surfers to make a purchase from your company. But, you are never going to get the opportunity to tell people about the benefits of your company unless the search engines can reach you.

Article Source: http://articlesmore.com

Vlad Ehrsam is the chief writer for, and editor of Full Info on Business, it's one of the webs most up to date Business sites, why not sign up for the free Business newsletter.
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