When & Why Should You Hire a Copywriter for Your Website?
Hey friend! If you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or freelancer, you might be asking yourself questions like:
Should I hire a copywriter for my website? Is it even worth it?
What exactly is a website copywriter anyway? What do they do?
Why is it so important to hire someone to write my website copy for me?
Should I just DIY my website copy instead?
I get it. These questions are important to ask!
Because you probably know how important your website is for the overall growth and success of your business.
But you’re not entirely sure if hiring a copywriter is worth the investment. And you want to understand more about what they do and why it’s important.
Maybe you’re ready to grow your business further (beyond word of mouth).
You want your website to attract more of your target audience.
You want it to effortlessly compel your dream clients to take action.
You want it to be your biggest sales weapon and work for you even when you’re offline enjoying life.
But currently, it’s not doing that. And you’re not sure what to do.
Well, one thing’s for sure. Choosing to hire a copywriter for your website has TONES of benefits. In terms of the overall success of your business and so much in between.
But before you make any decisions, you want the important questions answered first.
That’s why in today’s article I’m going to break down for you:
1. What a website copywriter does.
2. Why hiring a copywriter for your website is so important (today more than ever).
3. How to know if you *should* hire a copywriter for your website or DIY instead.
So, by the end of this article, you’ll know everything you need to know before moving forward!
Alright, let’s get into all the dirty details, shall we?
1. What does a website copywriter do?
The job of a website copywriter goes much deeper than just writing alone.
And for the record, just because someone is good at writing, doesn’t mean they know the first thing about writing good, effective copy.
A website copywriter on the other hand has taken the time to learn and understand how to write copy that is effective and works to achieve your goals.
They know the ins and outs of writing copy that sells (without sounding ‘salesy’).
They understand how to write website copy that –
Is rich in SEO, to increase your organic website traffic and online ranking.
Is tailored to your specific needs and goals.
Authentically represents your one-of-a-kind brand persona.
Makes you stand out among your competition.
Speaks the language of your target audience and shows why your offer is valuable and the perfect solution for them.
Not only attracts your target audience, but emotionally resonates with your *ideal* clients/customers, compelling them to take action.
Because copywriting in general has a specific method to it. It doesn’t follow the writing rules you learned in school (or English class).
So, what does the job of a website copywriter entail? Because there’s so much that has to be done before writing can even begin.
Well, as a website copywriter myself, i’ll tell you my exact process so you can get a real life example.
(And just so you know, this is what every talented website copywriter is -and should- be doing.)
First step is the discovery call I have with my potential client, to find out if we’re a great fit to work together.
Next is the kick-off call. Where I get to know my client, their business, brand, target audience, etc. Asking lots of questions and take lots of notes (keeping it a fun, laidback experience, and chat).
I go over all my notes and do in-depth market, SEO, and competitor research.
I officially begin writing the first draft of website copy in a word doc.
I take the copy from the word doc, and I build it out in a wireframe (which takes website design and structure into consideration). Not to mention possibly collaborating with a client’s website designer as well if they have one.
I email it over to my client. Getting their feedback and making any necessary edits.
I email them the second draft. Offering one more round of free edits, if necessary, until officially handing over their final draft of website copy.
So, as you can see, there’s a lot of work that goes into what a website copywriter does.
All for the purpose of delivering copy that’s truly beneficial to you and your business.
Because if you want website copy that’s going to act as your biggest sales weapon, it isn’t a quick, half-assed process (pardon my French).
2. Why is hiring a copywriter for your website important (today more than ever)?
Choosing to hire a copywriter for your website is crucial for the long-term success and growth and your business for a few reasons.
Reason number one being that your website is the home of your business. And it’s where majority of your potential clients will go to determine if they want to work with you or purchase your offer.
Things like social media are important too, but your website is where someone really gets to know you. It’s where their ultimate decision takes place.
Your entire website is a reflection of you, your business, and the quality or work you do.
Your website is what builds trust and relationship with your target audience before the two of you even speak.
Think of your website as a dating profile (like Tinder for example)!
If your dream client likes what they see, they’re swiping right (or filling out your contact form).
Then think of the next step (whether that be a discovery call or email) as the first date!
If your first impression doesn’t properly communicate how amazing you and your offer are, your dream client will swipe left without even giving you a chance.
And they’ll never know just how perfect you actually were for them!
Also, your website may have stunning design, but if your website copy is falling flat, you’re going to lose a lot of potential clients and sales.
Poor copy could very well lead to the downfall of your business.
And believe it or not, it’s been proven that the human attention span is only 8 seconds.
Which is crazy! Because apparently a goldfish has a longer attention span than us!
And over the years the human attention span has continued to decrease (thanks social media and doom scrolling).
So, long story short, if you don’t capture the attention of your audience within literal seconds and keep them continually engaged, you can kiss them goodbye.
Another reason it’s so important, is that in today’s world there’s competition everywhere (in your niche alone).
There are so many options to pick from. So, it’s more important than ever that you stand out rather than blend in.
Because say your target audience goes to Google and is searching for the service you offer.
If your competitor’s website is popping up alongside yours and their website (from their copy to their design) is knocking yours out of the water, why would they ever choose to work with you instead?
And maybe in reality you would have been the better choice and perfect match for them, but your website didn’t prove it.
So you dream client moved on.
Also, if your website copy isn’t properly SEO-optimized, your target audience isn’t going to find you in first place. Your website will basically be invisible online.
I mean, statistics show that 75% of people don’t scroll past the first page of Google search results.
Maybe if they aren’t satisfied with the first page results, they’ll scroll to the second page (I’ve done this more than once). However, the odds of them scrolling to the third page or beyond are rare.
So, you want to ensure your website copy is not only high-quality, but also rich in SEO.
Side note: Having a blog page on your website filled with high-quality, SEO-optimized articles is also *extremely* beneficial when it comes to increasing your organic website traffic and online ranking. And most website copywriters will offer blog writing services as well (including myself).
3. Should *you* hire a copywriter for your website or DIY instead?
So, you understand how important hiring a copywriter for your website is. But now the big question is, do YOU need one? Or would you be better of DIY-ing your website copy instead?
The thing is, I highly recommend against writing your website copy (unless you’re a website copywriter yourself of course).
Because if you don’t understand website copywriting best practices and SEO, it’s going to hurt your business in the long run.
However, there are still some reasons you might want to consider DIY-ing your website copy instead.
For example:
You’re brand new to what it is you’re doing.
You’re in the very beginning stages of starting your business or becoming an entrepreneur.
You don’t have any online presence for your business yet (whether that be a website, social media, blog page, etc.)
You don’t know for sure what your brand persona is.
You’re not 100% sure who your target audience is.
Etc.
In that case, you’re just starting out!
And it’s probably too soon to invest in a website copywriter. Because you’re still getting a feel for what you’re doing.
You’re most likely going to change your mind on things as you go.
You might change your mind about the services you’re offering.
You might decide that the brand persona you’re leaning into right now doesn’t fit you later on.
For example, when I first became a copywriter, I offered copywriting services for everything.
Like social media, websites, landing pages, email, blogs, direct mail, you name it.
Because I was new, I didn’t know what type of projects I even liked working on yet.
I also didn’t have my target audience fully understood or zeroed in on yet.
And I sure as hell didn’t have my brand persona understood yet either.
Then as time went on, I realized I wanted to specialize in website copy and blog content.
I took the time to understand who my target audience was and who I wanted to work with.
And along with all that, I discovered without a doubt what my brand persona was.
Bottom line… if you’re super new to what it is you’re doing, I wouldn’t invest time and money into hiring a copywriter or even designer for your website just yet.
On the other hand, hiring a copywriter for your website is *definitely* the way to go if -
You’re not brand new to what you’re doing.
You’ve got a good grasp on what your offer is, who your target audience is, what your brand persona is, what your goals are, etc.
You can financially afford to hire a website copywriter.
You already have at least a social media page and online presence for your business.
And/or you have a website that you’re not satisfied with and isn’t working for you.
You’re ready to grow your business further, attract more of your target audience, make more sales, and achieve long-term success.
In a case like this, investing in a website copywriter will help you get to that next stage in your business.
When you’re ready for more and your current website simply isn’t cutting it, it’s time for an upgrade!
‘When & Why Should You Hire a Copywriter for Your Website?’ Conclusion.
If you care about the long-term success and growth of your business, then hiring a copywriter for your website is incredibly important.
Because if your website copy isn’t working for you, you’re either not going to reach your business goals, you’re going to experience burnout, or your business will eventually flop.
Your website is literally everything when it comes to attracting your target audience and compelling them to move forward with your offer.
And if all of this is resonating with you, feel free to check out my website!
I’m a website copywriter myself and I’d love to help you or simply answer any questions you have!
But either way friend, I truly hope this article was helpful for you in understanding the benefits of hiring a copywriter for your website and if it’s the right choice for you.
Good luck on your journey to success! You’ve got this! Until next time.
‘When & Why Should You Hire a Copywriter for Your Website?’ FAQ:
→ Where can I find a copywriter for my website?
You can search around for copywriters on places like Fiverr, Upwork, or LinkedIn. However, I advise against it.
The best place to find a copywriter (especially for your website) is doing a Google search. Simply search things like “hire a website copywriter” or “website copywriting services”.
That way you can browse their actual website. You’ll get a much better understanding of who they are as a person, the quality of work they do, what services they offer, what they charge, and if the two of you are a perfect match.
→ How much does website copywriting cost?
Website copywriting services can vary in price. It can range anywhere from $800-$10,000. What determines the cost are things like how much experience the website copywriter has, what their expertise are, if they specialize in a specific niche, and how many pages of website copy you need.
For example, I try and keep my prices on the more affordable side. I charge $1,500 for three pages of website copy (Home, About, and Product/Service). I recommend at least getting your three main website pages done if nothing else.
→ What should come first regarding my website, copy or design?
Your website copy should always come before your design. Because your copy is the blueprint for the structure and layout of your website. Typically, you can choose to hire a website copywriter and a designer and have them collaborate on your website together for the best results.
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And if you don't already know me...
Hi, I'm Christa! A freelance website copywriter who specializes in writing copy for creatives and small business owners. So, if you're looking to grow your business and attract your dream clients (beyond word of mouth and cold pitching) then I’m the copywriting companion you need friend! Feel free to visit my website and learn more about me and what I offer.
Or you can simply check these out as well…
My blog - If you liked this article, you’ll find more just like it on my blog page, dive into topics like SEO, copywriting, blogging, and more.
My services - Feel free to snoop. I specialize in writing copy for websites and content for blogs. But I'm always open to client requests as well.
And for my fellow writers out there who are also interested in becoming a copywriter, view the article I wrote about the amazing, in-depth copywriting course I took that kick started my career as a copywriter (you can thank me later, well… only if ya want).