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How do You Write the Content for Businesses Websites? Ask Them or Think It Up Yourself?

by amarketing
6 replies
Hi all.

I've got a question for the web designers. When a business hires you to make a site for them, how do you come up with the content for the "About Us", "What We Do", etc. pages?

When you go on sites of various trades (electricians, plumbers, etc.), they often have a laundry list of services that they perform.

If you just go by what other business of the same type have on their sites, you'll probably end up with pretty generic or even inaccurate content. On the other hand, listening to an electrician rattle off 25 technical terms over the phone while trying to take notes isn't the easiest thing ever.

What do you do? Write something very general and tell them if they want it to be more specific to email you and you'll post it for them?
#businesses #content #websites #write
  • Profile picture of the author kemdev
    Keep the process as easy for them as possible. What do you need to know to write their content?

    -- Brief company bio (how long they've been around, what they do, who they service, etc...)
    -- Products they offer or recommend
    -- Services they offer (specialty services, why it's needed, what to look for, etc...)
    -- General pricing information
    -- Contact information such as name, phone number, address, etc...

    Ask questions to uncover answers to the above. Take diligent notes. Take every responsibility of the website off their shoulders.

    If you leave it up to them to write anything up, you'll either kill the sale outright or keep yourself from getting your money as soon as possible.
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  • Profile picture of the author bluesteele
    I look to the competitors - the ones that are killing it. Use their content as a basis, and ask the client what they are missing, and fill in the holes. Usually the hang up isn't the items, but rather the tone. I want to write sales copy, but the client is more accustomed to boring, monotone dribble. Getting them to see that "this" is better than "that" can be a real challenge some times.

    Even more challenging, when you have to create the same service page for many difference locations (local landing pages). Writing the same thing over and over again, especially when dealing with lists, can be a real pain in the ass when you are trying to create unique content every time.
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  • Profile picture of the author webcosmo
    Normally the customer comes up with the text, after i look at their competitors and get some guidelines.
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  • Profile picture of the author bluesteele
    You might like: Designing Business Location Website Pages: Part One
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    • Profile picture of the author Rollmodl
      Talk to the business to get a feel of their core values, mission, mantra and how they want to be portrayed. Get back to basics. A phone call or meeting would go a long way.
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      • Profile picture of the author amarketing
        Thanks for the great replies. It looks like a mix of interviewing the client and checking out the competition is the best idea.

        Another thing I wanted to ask is what about the images? Do you use stock or do you ask them to email you some photos?
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