Where did all the good web copywriters go?
Web copywriting training is a big part of our business. So we're always on the scout for well-written websites - to help our delegates see how it should be done.
And here's the problem: when it comes to copywriting, there aren't that many great websites out there.
I keep going back to the same old sites, and trust me, I've tried to find more recent examples. (Zopa and Skype aside, there's not much happening out there)
So what's the reason for all this mediocre copy? I think lots of site owners still go down the "let's shove our brochure copy on the web" route. They know it's wrong, but with time and budget pressure, it's an easy way out.
Then there's the fact that most web design consultancies don't have in-house copywriters. How weird is this? Not that weird at all, if you think about it. Although copy is the stuff people come to a site to see, it doesn't take long to write even quite a substantial website. So what's the point in having an in-house writer you might only use for one week out of four?
That's why I started in business in the first place - to offer a sensible alternative. Each year, more and more clients hook into the idea of letting an experienced web copywriter loose on their site.
Then again, an even greater number of sites are flung together without a writer getting within editing distance of the copy.
Which, I guess, means I need to get out there and tell the world about the joy of web copywriting. I may be gone for quite some time.
(JUST LIKE THE PREVIOUS POST, I'VE HAD TO RE-PUBLISH THIS ONE. BLAME THE SPAMMER WHO POSTED JUNK IN REPLY TO A COUPLE OF POSTS)
And here's the problem: when it comes to copywriting, there aren't that many great websites out there.
I keep going back to the same old sites, and trust me, I've tried to find more recent examples. (Zopa and Skype aside, there's not much happening out there)
So what's the reason for all this mediocre copy? I think lots of site owners still go down the "let's shove our brochure copy on the web" route. They know it's wrong, but with time and budget pressure, it's an easy way out.
Then there's the fact that most web design consultancies don't have in-house copywriters. How weird is this? Not that weird at all, if you think about it. Although copy is the stuff people come to a site to see, it doesn't take long to write even quite a substantial website. So what's the point in having an in-house writer you might only use for one week out of four?
That's why I started in business in the first place - to offer a sensible alternative. Each year, more and more clients hook into the idea of letting an experienced web copywriter loose on their site.
Then again, an even greater number of sites are flung together without a writer getting within editing distance of the copy.
Which, I guess, means I need to get out there and tell the world about the joy of web copywriting. I may be gone for quite some time.
(JUST LIKE THE PREVIOUS POST, I'VE HAD TO RE-PUBLISH THIS ONE. BLAME THE SPAMMER WHO POSTED JUNK IN REPLY TO A COUPLE OF POSTS)