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Your New Year website check list – 20 essential checks you should make on your website for 2012

January 9, 2012

While you’ve been away on a break over the holiday period your website may well have hit a few snags – or you may have been so busy at the end of the year that a few things have been overlooked. The start of a New Year is an excellent time to run some quick checks of your website to make sure everything is in good working order.

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How to be prepared for an earthquake or other natural disaster

July 7, 2011

I originally wrote this blog the week following the February 22, 2011 Christchurch earthquake. It was 11 days out from ‘quake day’, and we didn’t have power, running water or sewerage. Many people can’t begin to imagine what that must be like – and I was one of them. Back […]

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SEO Copywriting 101 – how to write for the search engines

March 1, 2011

You should always consider search engine optimisation (SEO) issues when drafting your website copy. My recommendation is that you write in a ‘natural style’ for your target audience, while keeping an eye on the keywords and phrases you use. It can be a delicate balance. Though the two goals are […]

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Using the Active Voice in your Writing

March 1, 2011

Writing in the active voice as opposed to the passive voice makes your writing more concise and readable. Your message will be more to the point. Writing in the active voice also uses less words than writing in the passive voice. The active voice focuses on the subject or the […]

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How to Include Calls to Action in your Website Copy

March 1, 2011

Imagine a shopping cart without an ‘add to cart’ option? It would be ridiculous wouldn’t it? Then why do so many websites not even ask for enquiries! A call to action is simply asking someone to do something, such as: fill in an enquiry form complete a questionnaire purchase a […]

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How to use powerful and influential words in your web copy

March 1, 2011

It’s easy to get stuck in a ‘word rut’ where you keep using the same words over and over again. It helps your writing considerably if you vary your copy with an interesting mix of powerful phrases. Unless you are a natural word smith then you will need some help. […]

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Using Personalisation in Website Copy Writing

March 1, 2011

When writing for the web you can afford to be less formal with your language. After all, you are not drafting an annual report or asking for money from your bank manager. So avoid referring to your business in the ‘third person’. Third Person: “Since 1995 Acme Publishing have published […]

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The ‘what’s in it for me’ key to web copy writing

March 1, 2011

What’s in it for me, is the question that everyone is silently asking themselves as they go through the decision making process. You need to answer it. Will you help them save time? Or save money? Or both? Will this improve them as a person? Will it benefit their business? […]

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How to define your Unique Selling Position (USP) Online

March 1, 2011

Your unique selling position (or proposition) is what sets you apart from your competition. So what is your USP? It could be the personalised service you offer, the speed of your delivery, or the depth of your knowledge about a specialist area. Once you have identified your unique selling position […]

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How to motivate people to buy online

March 1, 2011

Before you can sell to someone they have to be motivated to buy. So you need to know what motivates someone to buy your type of product or service. Motivation is stimulated by desire for needs, or for wants. This is pretty simplified, but I believe it is a fair […]

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Quick tips on how to build trust and credibility online

February 22, 2011

Most people will only buy online or make contact with you, if they believe your website is credible and trustworthy. Since you are not face to face, you need to build trust through your words. I once attended a lecture by a Professor involved in an MBA program. He spoke […]

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How to write attention-grabbing website headlines

February 22, 2011

Make your headlines work for you. They should grab attention while also imparting important information. If your site lacks good headlines people won’t take the time to read the body of your text. Headlines need to pull people into your website copy, engaging them and making them want to read […]

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