I was recently asked why do I tell my clients how to write for the web. Isn’t that giving away my trade secrets and giving away potential work?
Here’s my answer…
If the client has the budget for a copy writer, one that knows how Google looks at articles, cares about keyword density, location of key phrases, understands the topic and at the same time knows how to write for the reader, then absolutely I recommend a professional to write all the copy for the website. In fact I encourage my clients to head this direction. However, too often the client does not have the budget, due to them being a startup, small business, or suffering due to the slow economy. These are often the individuals that with a bit of coaching can create a website that gets found by Google.
Why I tell my clients how to write their own copy
As a website designer and Search Engine Optimization company, I care about both how my website looks, and how my websites place on Google. The better my client does in these two areas, the better I look, the happier the client, and the more referrals I receive. Poor, sloppy copy that does not contain the key words for Google will not get found. I don’t want this for my clients. With some coaching, and with help editing, we can create a great product. A better product = more links to the company = more links back to me and my company = more business = more $.
It’s a win-win situation.
What I tell my clients
Well if you were my client, I would tell you how to write for the web. Basically you have to focus on a key phrase or two, write sufficient content containing this phrase in the right quantities. Headings, bold text, should contain your key words. It’s all about creating a theme revolving around your key phrase. More to come in a future blog.
What to do if your client can’t write?
If your client cannot write, but doesn’t have the budget to hire a copy writer to start from scratch, there is often a compromise. What I tell my clients is that I need point form notes, or their best attempt. We can then write / rewrite what they have done. This can save some money, but still produce a top quality site.
