Creating Copy
It’s time for a new website, whether it is a rebuild or a brand new endeavor. But now, you are faced with the question of “What do I put on my site?”. It can be a perplexing question, but it is one that is extremely important to answer and to answer early on. Putting the right copy down on paper will not only help you refine your message but will actually influence every aspect of your website, from design to user experience. Let’s get started! …and a quick note: at this point, it is not important to be thinking about what pages you will want, what design and features you’d like to include, or even the layout of the website. That will naturally flow from getting the website copy.
First, what is copy?
If you are like me, you may not even really know what “copy” refers to. But, thanks to Wikipedia, we know that “copy” is referring to the written parts of our website. So, where do we start?
Start with what you know
- Your company’s name
- Your Product(s)
- Your Service(s)
Be as detailed as possible… List all the features of your products and their technical information. Describe in excruciating detail the different facets of your services. I promise it will make your life easier later. Even if it seems boring now.
Next, what do you want people to know about you?
What makes you, you? How will people benefit from your products/services? Why would they choose you over the next guy?
Don’t forget the DATA!
Data, facts, and figures are great content and should absolutely be included on your website. How many customers have you served? How many years have you been in business? How many products have you made?
A personal touch is nice
This is a chance for you to say hi and let the world see a bit into the inner workings of your business.
- Who is on your team?
- What’s your story?
- Have any fun stories from your years doing what you do?
- What drives you and your business?
- What is your vision and mission statement?
Nitty Gritty
Don’t forget the important things:
- Pricing
- Ways of contacting you
- Location hours (if you have any)
Don’t Stress It
If you are finding you are having a hard time putting this all down on paper, find something that will help get you talking. Grab a recording device (most phones have them) then get a cup of coffee, go for a walk and just start talking it out like you were telling your best friend about these things. Talk for as long as you need, until there is nothing left to say. Then grab a notebook or your computer, hit play, and write it all down!
Congratulations!
You have successfully created the foundation of your website! If you spent a lot of time being very detailed with it, you probably will have over 90% of the copy you will need for the entire project. Be sure to read our next article to learn how to turn your copy into a website layout!
Getting to Know You
In the end, building your website right is about how well we understand you as a customer. The better we understand you and your business, the better we will represent you to the world! Don’t forget to look at our custom built website service to learn how we can make your new website a reality!