WordPress Tips

When initiating a new website project, business owners and their website designers focus on functionality and aesthetics. It’s rare that content is even discussed at the early stages. When the topic finally arises, the web developer will often push the task back to the business owner.

Website Development and Crafting Content

This is an unfortunate thing to happen. Often, the business owner certainly knows his/her operations well, but lacks the skills to convey the story in clear, concise language that engages the website visitor.

An experienced website designer already knows that many clients are typically poor writers. The clients are amazing at driving their businesses, but writing informative, persuasive content that prompts the reader to take action is usually not on their list of talents.

If you are looking for a top-notch web developer, look for one who has a long-term relationship with a professional writer. That web developer has most likely already experienced problems with waiting for a client to write the content for the website. Some clients may not be skilled with document editors. Some may not understand the basics of good English grammar. Many times, waiting for a client to produce the content means missed deadlines and added expenses.

Content production that enhances the website design process can be tricky to manage. In its most essential form, content is the information that visitors consume. Content may be words, pictures, video, and audio. It is the tangible information that visitors take in. Design is the presentation of that content. They work together, but each is distinct.

A frequent misconception is that design and content are the same. Some novice designers think so as well. In these circumstances, the developer may attempt to produce the content. Most know to leave video production to the professionals, but will try their hand at written content.

This might work if the developer has good writing skills and the resources to deliver on this key element of the project. Most often, they do not have the writing skills, and nor does the client. Design and content are distinctly separate from each other.

It is crucial that content is taken seriously along with visual design during the web development process.

Why Web Design Must Include Content Strategy

As a client, you hire a website developer for the expertise as well as guidance for the type of functionality a website can include. The client’s role is to communicate their business objectives and specialized knowledge of their industry and target customers. Their role is not to write many pages of content.

If the web developer fails to include content in the overall design strategy, the website may never get finished. The designer needs to bring content production into the website design process, and that means creating a space for it at the start.

Naturally, this will incur a greater cost for the total project. Many clients will resist the need for professional content production. An experienced web designer should be able to discuss why a professional writer is a necessary part of the process.

Professional website copy will:

• Consolidate and solidify the overall brand message
• Save a lot of time for the client and the developer
• Make the design (and the design process) more effective
• Result in a better end user experience

In sum, professionally written content will drive a higher return on the overall investment.

If you are doubting about hiring a professional writer, consider the number of times you visited a website that had poor grammar, spelling errors, and unfocused messages. There are many out there on the internet. Sometimes, a client actually wrote the copy. Other times, they outsourced the writing to a “content mill” that typically pays very little and uses “writers” overseas who don’t speak English as their first language. Some use a “spinner,” which simply replaces words with synonyms at certain intervals. The result can be very poor.

In other words, the additional cost will pay for itself by making the offer compelling. The visitor will want it. Good content conveys vitality and presents your business more professionally.

If your business is complex, you need a professional writer even more. A skilled copywriter will succinctly simplify the message, which frees your time to focus on driving more sales.

For more information, contact NOYO Web Development for a free consultation.