Copywriters and Content

We not only build fantastic websites but we create incredible content as well.

• Newsletters
• Press releases
• Product descriptions
• We do it all!

When creating content for your own personal home page or developing the content for a complex corporate site, the way that your message is written will determine your success or failure on the Internet.

Whether you are selling a product, managing customer relations or introducing a new concept it all starts with the site user understanding your message and instructions.

Here are some basics to understand:

Writing Styles

In writing for a website, the single most important difference with writing for print publication is the inherent ability of web communications to be interactive. Hyper linking makes it easy for any reader to browse the information you have presented in a manner that is the most comfortable to them. Suggestion - Use hyperlinks wisely, otherwise they become a distraction.

The beauty of a website, whether internal or external , is that the user has the ultimate control over what content they see. Users no longer want content pushed at them and have become "pullers" of information...they review material, pulling out what's meaningful or useful to them and ignoring the rest. An important goal is to make the information you offer easy to "pull" from.

Appearance

If you want to use backgrounds, be sure the texture or pattern is subtle so it doesn't compete visually with your words: this is called appropriate figure/ground contrast. Solid, pale colors are best, with black or very dark type.

Use small, multicolor graphics to add visual interest, but don't overdo. And remember that big splashy graphics take a long time to load, which can drive your readers away.

Use white space and font changes for visual interest instead of graphics, where possible. Columns (including empty ones to create white space in a page format) can be made using the "table" function and the ``block quote" function of the HTML language.

How Web readers Read

Only 16% of readers read a document word for word. Shocked? According to a web usability study by Sun Microsystems, 79% merely scan on-screen pages without taking time to read what they find. It's more than just attention- deficit: computer screens are about 25% harder to read than print. Larger screen type fonts improve readability. Short line lengths help, as does reducing the number of words from print to the on-screen version by about 50%.

A fundamental question you should always ask, whether it's for your own web site or one you are developing for your employer is: What is the purpose of the web site? If yours is a small business, this is especially true. You can't afford to make mistakes.

Here are some important questions to answer before you begin:

• Who is your audience?
• What do you want them to know, understand or do after they visit your web site?
• How will you measureyour success?
• Are you committedto maintaining the site to keep it timely?
• Have we done the best possible design jobto make the site usable?

If you are really struggling with what to say, then let our writers get the ball rolling for you. We have development professionals on staff who can modify the content on your sire, newsletter, broochure, or press release and make you look fantastic!