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Here is a list to a few pointers on developing your content for your website specifically those of you that are like me that struggle with writing content for your portfolio website for your website design company.

I though I might add my thoughts on how these tips could apply for my company as a way to kinda brain storm while I inform…

Know your Goal

this is a key area of concern. The idea here i to know what I want a user to do at my website. And the most obvious action is for the visitor to become a lead, A lead to me is someone I have sent a proposal to. So measuring the phone calls, referrals, past clients, and forms that are filled out or those that I have meet through twitter are all tools to lead to the goal of me sending a proposal.

So when I think of what I want someone to do at my website its hard to say I want them to fill out my form being, my ideal client doesn’t want to be bothered with filling out forms they just need someone who is available and capable to do the work as quickly as they need it.

So my desired call to action is “call me we can start now!” I want to make sure the phone number is clearly available and or even a link to my skype number for folks that are long distance.

As far as the form I have it there to for those that feel the need to give me some background information.

Focus on Staples

The staples are the Home, About, Services, Contact

And as I read these tips and review my site I realize I was getting “fancy” with the names, so I would like to change these names to the names people are used to seeing.

so instead of our core process, and top 10 reasons why you should hire no pun.

I will add those as sub sections to an “About Us” I will add my bio along with these 2 other subsections.

this will clean up my navigation as well

Solve a Problem.

I love this tip, I love roll playing and seeing what is it that my visitors would b looking for and how I can tell them that they have found the right pace.

Here are some useful questions for me to answer.

Why did they hire you?

Because I had experience, and I didn’t need to go through a learning curve.

Because I was quick

Because I did a great job for others

Because I had a can do attitude

Because I did more than just design, I try and understand the business challenges

Because I am a small business as well

Because a friend said your where the “greatest”

Because your demos actually worked!

What problem, challenge or need do your services solve?

Solves the mystery of how to get something accomplished.

from email blast, brochures, new logo, website design, power point presentation, sales video

What are their business goals and what role do you play?

They have an inclination to try or improve on a particular form of marketing and need someone who has the know how to do it, and do it for a fair price.

Who are their clients?

I tend to specialize in the moving and storage industry, and the entertainment industry. But also have a great skill at making small pet projects look like national chains.

What do they want out of a relationship with you?

they want someone who will be responsive available and get the work done with in the deadlines they have, along with helping them understand what’s the best approach to a project and way to help them prepare assets for the projects.

Now that I have answered these questions.

Does my website address these needs and communicate them clearly?

Be conversational.

I love this approach, I feel that I do this well with these blog postings. I enjoy carrying on a conversation with a “fictional audience” that i am realizing that some of you are real people out there reading these things. Please feel free to comment to let me know your listening!

Answer Questions

there are specific questions that come up in my industry, and I aim to answer these common questions,

Some of my most common questions are;

How much?

How long will it take?

What do you need from me to get it going?

Each of these questions have so many un known variables its amazing that I am willing to do this as a profession.

Every project is different and is custom to each client.

But with that said there are common stages, and phases that each project has, and I try and document these phases, to help guide a client through a smooth process.

I do this through Microsoft project “diaries” that will let me log in things I needed to do for a project that I didn’t expect.

i also document each project with a screen cast that will be the source for video tutorials on how I solved a clients problem.

To help a client see what their money is being used for and as a way for them to understand why something takes as long as it does.

And finally this blog I love carrying on conversations and sharing resources that can help educate folks that need this work done but don’t know that much about it, and would feel embarrassed to ask thinking it may may them look stupid.

Make it work with your design

this tips is a great one for me, because I have to admit in my own website is where I want to flex my creative muscle and really do a lot of things I can’t do with client work, because it would be inappropriate.

So Sometimes I will do something for design sake, like these scrolly frilly things in the background they where hand drawn and tweaked inside of illustrator, and I love the way they look, and I don’t really care if it connects with the copy.

but with that said I agree that copy should be short to the point and should be supported with the visuals. Which I am excited about tackling this challenge in the future.

get proofing help.

If there was ever anyone that needed help with that its me.

I have barter arrangements with a handful of copywriters who will tell me where I am off base. But I can’t let my bad grammar stop me from writing content and pushing forward. I hope it will get better as I grow as a writer, but definatley appreciate any copy edits anyone finds so please forward along when you see them, I would love to know about them, and please don’t pass judgement on my bad grammar i’m a designer not a writer, but I aim to get better at it.

wew this has been a great brainstorming session and can’t wait to implement some of these changes in my new site’s design

The link to the original article can be found here.

http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/11/19/how-to-improve-your-web-site-copy/

This entry was posted on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 10:26 am and is filed under Design Resources, Design Tips For Clients, Inspirada, Starting A Design Business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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