Why Amazing Web Copy is Your Web Design’s Best Friend!

When you dream about a fresh new website, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? The perfect color scheme that is so “you”? Some stunning, on-brand images that catch the eye? A look and feel that makes your ideal client go, “Yes, this is exactly what I’ve been searching for!” Well, I totally get that – aesthetics matter.

But, hold on a second, let me throw my web copywriting hat into the ring. You see, design isn’t just about appearances – it’s about how it all works – the functionality. And that’s precisely why I’m here to shout from the digital rooftops – YOUR COPY MATTERS. A LOT. Because when copy and design join forces, you’re not just creating a pretty website. You’re crafting a website that actually does its job. A website that helps  you reach your goals.

Hey, I’m Zoe – website & SEO copywriter – and I’m taking over Little Hound Creative’s blog to show you why web copy is the unsung hero when it comes to a website design project. Stick around, and I’ll give you four solid reasons why it’s a big deal.

1. Poor Copy Damages Functionality

And that’s everything!

Let’s dive right in. I don’t want to sound overly dramatic, but your website’s copy can literally make or break the success of your gorgeously designed website. Seriously, it’s a pet peeve of mine! Why, oh why, invest a small fortune in website design if your copy ends up as an afterthought?

So, why is this such a big deal? Picture this: you win an all-expenses-paid weekend stay in a stunning, high-end house. You’re over the moon, right? But when you set off on your adventure, the address you were given doesn’t work in Google Maps. It’s a wild goose chase to find the place. But, hey, you’re there now, and the entryway is beautiful! However, there’s nowhere to hang your coat, and you can’t even wipe your feet. It’s a bit confusing, to say the least. 

You head to the kitchen to chill your Champagne (because, why not?), but the fridge isn’t cooling – it’s heating things up! And thinking about how cold it is, you’d love to soak in a hot bath, but guess what? There’s no hot water!

This might seem like an elaborate metaphor, but it’s essentially your beautifully designed high-end website in a nutshell – where nothing works as it should. Now, don’t get me wrong, your amazing web designer will ensure that everything technically functions (of course!), but without the right copy to guide users, it’s like your website is running cold water in the bath and warming up your Champagne instead of cooling it down! *shudder*

2. But, Amazing Web Copy Enhances Your User Experience

Which means your website is more likely to achieve your goals!

Outstanding copy isn’t just randomly thrown together; it’s created with design in mind. It’s the unsung hero that informs how the website functions, how the design flows, and it adds context to every call to action, every button, every headline, and every block of text. Nothing’s there “just to look pretty” – copy teams up with design to craft a fantastic, ultra-functional user experience that paves the way for conversions. Because let’s be honest, what you really want is a house that’s both stunning and functional, a bath that’s piping hot, a fridge that chills your Champagne, and a website that brings in those valuable leads and sales. Cheers to that!

When I write your custom web copy, I create a wireframe. This works to inform your design – so design and copy work hand-in-hand. That’s where the magic happens!

3. Missing Web Copy Waves Goodbye To Opportunities

There’s so much more your website design could do!

Your designer, especially fantastic ones like Jess, can work wonders. But when you’re skimping on copy, you’re missing out on some golden opportunities.

I totally get it; it can be overwhelming. You’ve got so much to say, so many brilliant ideas bouncing around in your head, but when you’re faced with that dreaded blank page (or worse, your designer’s sending you that “I need the copy” email), you feel like you’ve entered a maze without a map. The result? You might end up with skimpy copy that leaves your ideal clients with a bunch of unanswered questions, and that’s not great for the user experience. Alternatively, you could go overboard and drown your target audience in a sea of words, like someone talking at you for 17 minutes straight without letting you get a word in.

That’s where a top-notch copywriter (cough hint, hint cough) comes in. We take the whirlwind of thoughts in your head and distill them into a perfect concoction of words. I don’t just say “I write copy” – it’s more like cooking it up, crafting the words that seamlessly blend with your website design, all with the goal of getting you the results you want. This approach to website copy doesn’t just make your website look impressive; it gives you a website strategy – making sure it actually works. It’s a game-changer because, as I keep saying, when design and copy team up, they’re an unstoppable force.

4. Finally, SEO Copy Is Your Google Superhero

Your words matter if you want to rank!

Do you want to show up on Google for all the right terms, to all the right people? Absolutely, who wouldn’t! Then your copy is your (not so) secret weapon and should be your number one priority. 

Now don’t get me wrong, your website design is also vital to SEO. After all, Google looks at the bigger picture – the user experience. That includes everything from how fast your site loads to how users interact with it. But when it comes to ranking for specific phrases and keywords, it’s not rocket science. It’s all about having copy and content that’s rich in keywords (but never, ever spammy).

So, when you’re diving into the SEO game, think strategically about how your copy fits into the grand scheme of your site. Define a clear goal for each page, identify a primary keyword or phrase, and consider any secondary keywords or phrases. And don’t forget to nudge your designer to format your copy with SEO best practices in mind (yes, I’m talking to you, header tags!).

Above all, remember that great SEO isn’t some mysterious Google magic trick. It’s about creating copy and a website that’s incredibly helpful, spot-on, and irresistible to your potential clients – those folks who are searching for you on Google. And if this all sounds like mambo-jambo, this is where I say – c’mon, get in touch. I’m here to help you with your SEO copy.

So How Do You Write Amazing Website Copy?

Covering this topic in a few bullet points is like trying to squeeze an elephant into a phone booth – not happening! But fear not, because I can dish out some actionable pointers right now to get you started on the right track.

• Ditch the Word/ Google doc and draw out how you want your copy to work (take a look at my blog on Wireframes here)
• Write your objective for every page of copy (i.e. Services page objective: book a discovery call) and keep this in mind as you write each page
• Ask yourself ‘so what?’ for everything you write (this is particularly helpful when writing your about page)
• Get familiar with keyword planning tools – you can even ask ChatGPT to suggest keywords for you
• Struggling with word count? While there is no hard-and-fast rule for SEO, aim for 500 words at least across your parent pages (Home, About, Services)

Time To Invest In Website Copywriting Help?

Feeling overwhelmed or just ready to level up your website copy game? Well, the good news is you don’t have to go it alone. Book a discovery call with me today, and let’s chat about how I can help you turn your dream website copy into a reality. From capturing your brand voice to conveying your message, and always with the perfect sprinkle of SEO, I’m here to make it happen.

Hey, I’m Zoe Barnett! Website & SEO Copywriter

I’m Zoe – a strategic website & SEO copywriter – who loves to give driven business owners, brands and ambitious individuals the words — and the strategy that underpins those words — that they need to step forward, stand out, and do incredible things.

I work with wonderful clients worldwide – from newborn & postpartum support services in Chicago to child occupational health therapists in the UK – to give them word confidence through stand-out web copy, goal-orientated social content, conversation-sparking email content, informative blogs, and more. 

Want to know more? Learn more about me here.