How to write content for a website
Updated: 15th September 2022
Reading time: 6 min
Writing on a website might be a bit of a challenge...
You shouldn't worry about that - it's normal.
The fact, that you are not the next Joyce or Capote, doesn't mean you can't write well on a website.
On the contrary.
In this article, I will show you a few good practices, which will help you write articles on your website.
I tried all of them.
Yes, they do work.
When you lack inspiration or are not in the mood for writing.
I am sure these practices will come in handy.
[I guess I should make it clear at the beginning - it is not an article about SEO or webwriting].
How to write content for a website?
Ideally, start from coming up with your idea for a website.
Speaking from the experience, when you name the idea, it becomes effortless to describe it.
This step is truly crucial - regardless if its a website of a company (what does it specialize in?), a product or a project.
Why?
Simple - if you fully understand something, it is easier to tell others about it.
Like it or not, writing on a website is similar to writing a story.
When you come up with the idea, think about the aim of a website and the target audience. Then select the most adequate wording.
If you want to reach professionals - use specialistic words; but don't take it too far - text should look natural.
Want to reach somebody who simply wants to solve their problem? Write in forthcoming style. Even if you are an expert in this particular field.
Somebody who isn't will surely appreciate your approach.
Albert Einstein once said, "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough."
That's the rule you should focus on when writing text on a website
5 steps to write a good content for web
There is one writing technique, that always works when you don't know how to start writing a text on a website.
It's not cutting-edge but helps a lot :).
Here is what you have to do:
-
describe your website in headwords - make a list of what you want to write about;
-
ask yourself about these particular things (what are they, what do they mean, are they important for a website and what problems do they solve);
-
don't be afraid to list down all ideas that come to your mind - at the beginning, they might feel silly or irrelevant, but they show your thinking process, which is very important;
-
try to tell somebody about it - in your own words;
-
write down what you are saying.
How to make these rules work?
5 steps to write a good text on a website are very consistent and have a lot of sense.
Let me explain them on an example.
Let's say I have got a website of a stationary bicycle shop.
I handle certain services and know my customers (they are casual riders). I often talk to them and know how to communicate.
It's time for me to list down information, that I want to place on my website. I run a bicycle shop, there is a garage next to it, I can change a bicycle tire, replace an air chamber etc.. In my shop, I have got products from certain brands and customers can find me under this particular address.
Concrete? Concrete.
Now it's time to transform it into a text for a website.
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With this „base”, I can start asking (myself) questions about these concrete things. Or imagine, witch what questions my future customer will open the website. What will be they looking for?
Answer these questions right away on the website. Just like you would answer in the stationary store.
„Can you replace an air chamber” – yes, I can. Write about it on the website ("We will replace your air chamber in just 20 minutes!").
„What to do with a bicycle after winter” – it's for the best to grease it, but if you are not sure how to do it, we will be happy to do it for you.
Something like that.
All you have to do is think about what problems do you solve. These are the information people look for online. They don't search for a comprehensive study - just concrete answers and solutions.
You don't know how to describe it? Just list down services, but in a way, they apply to certain needs. We replace a bicycle chain, assemble a bicycle bell etc.
When you know, what problems you solve - on a daily basis - it's easier to describe how to do it.
When you have got a list of your services, what's left to do is tell about them. Imagine a customer asking you, "what do you do in a bicycle store?".
When you know, what problems you solve - on a daily basis - it's easier to describe how to do it.
Tell users about these solutions exactly.
What if this whole writing on a website just isn't my thing?
This strategy might not apply to everybody.
Especially the part, when you need to tell something in your own words.
Keep in mind, that good and understandable language is simple and precise.
These features are easily noticeable in spoken language.
That's why it is worth to write what you say.
Simple, understandable, friendly.
Do your texts look like simple answers given to children? Great! That's the point.
If you have got a problem with writing it down, turn on a voice recorder and start talking. After a while, the stress will vanish and you will just go with the flow.
What tools are useful when writing text on a website?
Obviously – every text should be correctly written.
Nothing strikes more than orthographic mistakes.
If you have never mastered orthography, use an application to check it for you - Word or some other free text editor.
These programmes will tell you what should be corrected.
You can also use LangiageTool - it is a good application that will help you find mistakes in the text. It's not perfect, but decent.
If, after using spell and orthographical check applications, you are still not sure whether what you wrote is good enough to be displayed on your website, ask friends to read it. This method might turn out to be the most helpful.
Speaking from the experience, nothing can replace an experienced editor, but their services are usually very expensive. The same story with web writers. You should know, that you can write a text on a website and do it just fine. Or OK :).
Which leads us to the conclusion...
Can anybody write a text on a website?
Yes.
But....
Let's face it - "basic" level in writing should have everybody. We are educated people after all.
On the other hand, not everybody needs to write perfect and advanced articles. Just like not everybody needs to be good at running a bicycle shop ;).
Describing what you do, even in simple words, is very important.
Keep in mind, that writing texts that will be displayed on a website, especially the ones that will convince users or marketing ones, is a real profession.
For these kinds of services, people pay lots of money (at least that's what I wish to all copywriters out there).
Of course, you can find texts market, but buying texts only because it is well written is a bad idea.
Writing good texts on a website might be a bit of a challenge, but if you remember, that the most important factor is that it is understandable for the user, then you are pretty close.
Fingers crossed!
Author: Weronika Wawrzyniak & Bartek Raducha
Led and consulted many websites projects in the cultural area. Worked in an advertising agency and co-led projects of websites for clients such as Beko and Bonduelle Food Service. In WebWave – advertiser and more.
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