About This Blog
Sara Lancaster here. Thanks for visiting the No. 2 Pen blog where I share examples of business websites with sharp website content.Project Hound
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Posts Tagged ‘Web Site Content’
Why You Should Use the Word ‘Cheap’ in Your Web Content
Thursday, May 5th, 2011
Copywriters have long relied on the word “free” to grab the attention of readers. The goal, after all, is to motivate the reader to do something. And when I say “do something” I really mean “buy something.”
Order now and get a second set of ShamWows FREE.
Call for your Slap Chop and get FREE BONUS Peel & Press Holders
Purchase the Shake Weight and get a FREE 3-in-1 Deluxe DVD!
The Oatmeal Tells You to Promote Your Business through Horror and by Not Sucking
Wednesday, March 9th, 2011
On Monday, I had the privilege to hear Matthew Inman a/k/a The Oatmeal speak about his new book at Denver’s Tattered Cover (our local indie bookstore). If you haven’t been to a book signing, I highly recommend you go. You’ll be surprised what you learn and the people watching you can do. And if you don’t know about The Oatmeal and aren’t offended by swearing, DEFINITELY learn more about him and his hilarious comics, too.
I fully expected to be entertained by The Oatmeal’s very adult sense of humor, but I didn’t expect to learn about web marketing. Here’s a recap of The Oatmeal’s web marketing advice.
Take Cover – Dropping Link Knowledge
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011
The integration of links into web content is as important as a well-written headline. Okay, maybe it’s not as important as a headline, but links matter in a big way.
Too often the link and its anchor text go ignored or abused. To keep you from doing this on your site, I’m about to drop some link knowledge on you.
Anchor text, or the words that make up the link, should not read “find out more” or “click here” or anything similar. Couple reasons why: (more…)
12 Tips for Injecting Personality Into Your Website Content
Monday, August 16th, 2010
Website content should not read like a user’s manual. It shouldn’t read like a prospectus either. Website content should have personality.
Making your website content sound like a human wrote it will take practice. You’ll also need to follow these 12 tips. No one said injections were easy.
Tip 1 – Choose your avatar
Marketers work with “avatars” to aid in speaking to their customers. Think about who you are trying to reach with your web content. Is it a 30-something-year-old woman who lives near a city center? Get a blank piece of paper, draw her face, and give her a name. Tape the picture to your wall and now start writing TO your avatar.
Tip 2 – Outline your web content
Create the architecture of your site. In other words, decide what pages you’ll have on your website and decide on three to five main ideas for each page. Your outline can only be a set of bullet points or it can go into more detail. Do what works best for you. (more…)
Where to Find the Expiration Date on Your Web Content
Monday, June 21st, 2010
Did you look on the bottom? What about the label? No expiration date anywhere?
You can’t find the expiration date on your web content, because it’s not there. However, there are a few ways to look at web content and decide on when it should be updated. But that’s probably not what you want to hear. You want to hear a concrete answer on web content expiry. I get that.
So before I get into the long “it depends” conversation, let me give you the short answer. Small businesses should revise there web content at least once a year.
That’s just the minimum effort. Now for the long answer. (more…)
Essential Questions for Your FAQ Page
Thursday, June 17th, 2010
Most small businesses need a page devoted to frequently asked questions on their website. The questions you list should be the questions your customers commonly ask (obviously), but if you’re just starting out, then you might know what questions your typical customer will ask.
If that’s your case, start out with the 10 questions below and update the FAQs when appropriate. (more…)
5 Website Errors that Could Ruin Your Business
Monday, June 14th, 2010
Did I get your attention with this dramatic headline?
Good. Turns out the following five errors may not ruin your business, but they certainly won’t help your business or your brand. I suggest read close and then head to your site to make improvements.
1. Broken links
Before publishing a page or a post on your site, always test the links to make sure they work. Additionally, run a link check on your site every month. I rely on the Xenu’s Link Sleuth to tell me about my broken links. Broken links can hurt your SEO ranking and create a poor user experience. (more…)
A Primer on Providing Content to Your Web Developer
Thursday, May 20th, 2010
A web developer and a web copywriter typically have their own unique skill sets. A developer will be great with code, while a copywriter has a way with words. In some situations, you can find a web professional who handles all aspects of website creation, but usually that’s not the case.
This means you will need to provide web content to your developer. Here are some of the common issues that arise when providing the copy. (more…)
Five Most Important Steps to Creating a Website
Thursday, May 6th, 2010
No frills here. Only the five most important steps to creating an effective website for your business.
1) The key to a well-received website lies in a professionally designed logo. Logo Design Team* can do it for less than $200. Can’t say it enough: Professional logos are a HUGE part of making the sale.
2) Use the Google AdWords Keyword Tool to research phrases specific to your business. Once you have a list of relevant terms that people search for on the web, you can get started with the site. (more…)
What’s the Curb Appeal of Your Website Content?
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
In real estate sales, curb appeal is crucial. The square footage of the home, the refinished kitchen, and the school district may be great sellers, but if the paint is peeling and the sidewalk is overtaken with weeds, few potential buyers will take the time go inside, let alone make an offer.
The same goes for your website content. (more…)