New Age Copy

The answer is simple – yes it can. Copy does play a substantial part in selling your product/service, but if you display it on a bland background or in one huge mass this will end up looking un-appealing, unapproachable and more importantly, boring.

The first step is to organise your copy. Work out how you want it displayed on the sceen; where you want to add images or position forms and then – and only then – begin thinking about your colour scheme.

You could say in many ways that the purpose of your layout is to emphasise the copy contained there. It frames the words. So whatever you plan to add, it has got to matter.

I can’t count how many websites I have been on that throw in random imagery in the wrong places. I once saw a picture of a dog on a website selling clothes – it made sense at all and in truth was only there for their own personal benefit, not their businesses.

With your actual layout it is good to put yourself in the position of the surfer – what do you need to see first to achieve your websites desired objective?

1. Contact number - depending on your business/product offering, it is a good idea to display your number in the top header, with a contact form or quick link that will enable surfers to contact you.
2. Your Brand – your brand needs to be made clear from the off, so display it on the left of your header where surfers can see, spot it and most importantly remember it
3. Top navigation – I know this is obvious, but within this navigation is your opportunity to clearly display everything your website has got to offer. Just be careful here though that you don’t overcrowd it
4. Left navigation – here is your opportunity to show your accreditations, media attention and CTA’s. For the most part, this left navigation will be heavily dependant on the type of website you are. If you are a weight loss product, here is your chance to get surfers to sign up to a newsletter, read press releases or ‘tip of the day’ or see shortened case studies.
5. Your main content – more than likely on your index page you are providing an overall summation of who you how, what you do and how your product/service can be of a benefit to the consumer. For this reason it is vital that you choose the right imagery. A weight loss product – the product itself, a slim individual, someone working out. A property course – image of a seminar, the interior of a beautiful home… these images need to represent everything the consumer is looking for.

Finally just be careful to offer the right balance of content and imagery. A good technique is ensuring you have got at least 1 image to every section.

And that on a basic level is it.

Of course split testing is another great way to learn what is or isn’t working within your layout, but that will come once your site is completed.

Michelle