How to Write Content for Your Website: Tips and Examples

By Sean McCoy8 December 20155 min read
Open laptop and an iced coffee on a round table by a waterfront railing

Photo by Lindsay Buckley

How to write content for your website comes down to four steps. Know who each page is for, answer their questions in plain words, structure the page around one job, and finish with a clear next step. Good website content reads like you explaining your business to a customer across the counter, not like a brochure.

How do you write good content for a website?

Start with the reader, not the keyword. Here's how to write good content for a website, page by page:

  1. Give each page one job. A service page sells one service. An about page builds trust. A contact page makes it easy to get in touch.
  2. Open with the answer. Say what you do, for whom and where in the first sentence or two.
  3. Write in plain words. Short sentences, everyday language, no jargon. If you must use a technical term, explain it.
  4. Talk about the customer. Use "you" more than "we". Describe their problem before your solution.
  5. Use headings and lists. Most people skim. Headings that read like questions help them find their answer.
  6. Add proof. Photos of your work, reviews, examples and clear prices where you can share them.
  7. End with a next step. Call, book, get a quote or visit: say exactly what to do.

Those are the website copywriting tips we come back to most, whether the site has five pages or fifty.

How do you write great content for your website's main pages?

To write great website content, treat each main page differently:

  • Home page: who you are, what you do, where you work and why people choose you, with links to your main services. Put real text here, not just images.
  • Service pages: what's included, who it suits, how it works, what it costs or what affects the price, and common questions. For pages built to convert ad traffic, see our landing page best practices.
  • Contact page: every way to reach you, your hours and location, and what happens after someone gets in touch.

These copywriting tips for websites apply whether you're starting fresh or tidying up an existing site.

How do you write about us content for a website?

Your about page should answer one question: why should I trust you? Cover how long you've been in business, who's on the team, where you're based, and what you believe about the work. Add real photos of your people and premises, and keep it about how that helps the customer, not just your history.

What are some examples of good website content?

Here's how to write content for your website, with examples of weak and stronger versions:

Instead ofTry
"We offer innovative solutions for all your needs.""We service and repair air conditioners for homes and businesses across Mildura."
"Contact us today to learn more.""Call [your number] for a free quote. We reply within [your timeframe]."
"Quality you can trust.""Licensed electricians, upfront written quotes, photos of every finished job." (only claims that are true for you)

The stronger versions are specific, plain and about the customer. That's the core of how to write great website content.

How do you write SEO content for a website?

Write for people first, then make sure search engines can understand the page. Choose one main phrase per page, use it naturally in the title, the first paragraph and a heading, and cover the related questions people ask. Don't repeat keywords until they read oddly. Our SEO copywriting service handles this side if you'd rather not.

How do you write a content plan for a website?

If you're working out how to write web content for a website you're building from scratch, start with a plan. List every page you need. For each one, note its job, who it's for, the main question it answers, the key phrase and the call to action. Add the questions customers ask you every week: they're your future FAQs and blog posts. A simple spreadsheet is enough.

What we see when regional businesses write their own website content

Many businesses come to Rock Solid Marketing with a good-looking website that has very little text, especially on the home page. A few headings and buttons don't tell Google or customers enough. Adding clear copy about what you do and where usually makes the biggest difference, before any design change.

We also see copy written about the business rather than for the customer. Rewriting "we are passionate about" into what the customer gets is often the quickest win.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to write website content?

It depends on the number of pages and how much information is ready. Knowing how to write website content is one thing; having the details on hand is another. Most of the time goes into gathering details, writing first drafts and getting approvals, not the typing itself. Having your services, prices, photos and team details ready before you start saves the most time.

How do you use ChatGPT to write website content?

Use it for first drafts and structure, not the final copy. Give it your services, location, customers and tone, then ask for a page outline or draft. Edit it into your own words, add local detail and proof, and check every fact, price and claim before you publish.

How much content should each website page have?

Enough to do the page's job properly. A contact page can be short; a service page usually needs several sections covering what's included, who it's for, how it works and common questions. Cut padding, but don't leave key pages almost empty.

Should I write my own website content or hire a copywriter?

Write it yourself if you have the time and enjoy writing: you know your business best. Hire a copywriter if the site keeps getting put off, or if you want help with structure and search. Either way, you should approve every word.

Learning how to write content for your website is mostly about clarity: one job per page, plain words and a clear next step. If you'd rather hand it over, our website copywriting team writes and edits website pages, and our web design team builds the pages around them.

About Rock Solid Marketing

A marketing team that has helped businesses across Sunraysia and the Mallee since 2017, from our office on Deakin Avenue in Mildura.

Keep reading

All articles

Let’s Talk Marketing – Book Here

Let’s start by scheduling a free discovery call so we can get to know each other and see if we’re a good fit for your marketing needs.