How do people find you on the Internet?
Through words, of course. Hence, carefully chosen words and keywords will determine your website or web page's rankings on the Search Engines, pulling visitors to your website.Not just any visitors, but people who want and need your product or service, or in other words, the Targeted Web traffic.
Once the Targeted Web traffic comes to your site, how do you ensure you make a sale?
Again, through the right choice of words. Words prompt people to think, consider the options, decide, and most important, take action, or in other words, Simple words, Powerful words, Action words, Documented words, Thought-provoking words, Persuasive words, persuasive content
Words make the sale
What are the words that sell?
It's important that your web content is believable and sincere. Otherwise you may drive visitors away instead of attracting them. Here are some tips on creating credibility for words
- Limit yourself to a single or no exclamation mark - Millions of sites use words that are overstatements or exaggerated claims. Words like "killer abs", "incredible results", "never before", "world-famous", "extraordinary features" and a whole lot more, usually followed with several exclamation marks!!!!! Limit yourself to a single exclamation mark where relevant, or drop those marks altogether.
- Back your words with research or documented evidence - Unless the words above are backed up by research or documented evidence, most of your visitors would discount the exaggerations and feel the claims are untrue. How would they trust you with their money without any backing evidence?
To create simple words use
- quality words
- information-rich words,
- easy-to-understand words.
To create simple words use keyword-rich and targeted words, designed to bring the right people to your site. This is specially important while
- writing descriptions and ads to promote your site
- writing headlines and subheads
- writing words in bold or coloured text for easily scannable content.
Use Words like "Free offer", "Free resources", "Big Discount", " Sale", "Free trial", "Try us out", as these are powerful action-generating words.
To create documented words
- Use research to back up claims of product superiority.
- Use client testimonials to assure people that you deliver on your promises.
- Add links that lead to more information on the subject so that your visitor can check out the authenticity of your statements.
- Use quotes from experts in the field you are writing about, in order to add weight to your statements
How often have you read a whole article because the headline triggered a whole thought-process? Therefore it is a highly effective way to draw the reader's attention especially since readers are 25% slower while reading on the Web.
Ways to grab the attention of your visitors:
- use a question in the headline
- use a paradox or apparent contradiction in facts
- use a bold statement that refutes popular beliefs
Note - Such attention-getting devices have to be naturally backed up by persuasive content that retains the reader's interest or puts forward a different point of view
Just like a salesman in a shop or office, your content needs to sell a product or service. The difference is that the Web is a virtual showroom, where you don't have the advantage of using body language like energetic gestures, smiles and a tone of voice to draw and hold the attention of your potential customer. Thus your visitor has the freedom to click out of your website at any time he/she chooses.
However the words you use can persuade him/her
- to stay
- take a tour
- look at the services you provide
- see what other clients have to say
- buy your product or
- give you a project.
An important tip
Never force the sale
The best salesmen know when to persuade and when to withdraw, letting their customers make up their minds whether to buy or not. Sometimes, your customer may check out your site with interest and yet not make a purchase until he has checked out other sites offering similar products.
But Don't give up! Once his interest is aroused, he may come back to you a week later and buy a product. This is when your response to email or telephone enquiries (again so dependent on words) will determine whether he is encouraged to come back or to give up the idea of buying from you.
So are you now ready to get down to business with words that sell?
Maaweb wishes you all the best as you follow the tips above to make your website work harder for you and help your business thrive.
Contact us today!
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