10 Deadly Sins Destroying Your Website Right Now

Hey…

Have you heard the story about Simon? No?

Simon had a dream, a vision for his business that burned brighter than the pixels on his computer screen.

Simon was a trailblazer, determined to make his mark, by creating a website that would be the envy of his industry.

He spared no expense hiring top-tier designers, investing in cutting-edge technology, and painstakingly crafting every visual element.

His website was a digital masterpiece, rivaling the grandest works of art.

Every picture was perfect, every button meticulously designed, and even the font radiated confidence and professionalism - Simon had finally arrived in the business world.

He was brimming with excitement, daydreaming about his bright future ahead. Oh the places he’ll go, the holidays he’ll see, the people he’ll meet, and the delicious food he’ll eat.

His launch day had finally arrived, and his business was about to blast off into the stratosphere.

Visitors came, admired its beautiful UX, and then vanished into the vastness of cyberspace.

Expecting a flood of requests for business, Simon’s inbox was as empty as a donut shop at a police convention.

Despite all the bells and whistles…Simon had a shit website.

You see, Simon represents 95% of all business owners and entrepreneurs.

Make a pretty website first…slap on some words afterwards…and watch the money pour in.

Now, I've seen the good, the bad, and the downright ugly, and it got me thinking…

What if there was a way to reach out to my fellow business brethren, and harken unto them before they committed such heinous (and often expensive) marketing crimes?

And thus…The 10 Deadly Sins Killing Your Website Right Now, was written.

In this post, you’ll discover the common mistakes committed by most folks with low-converting websites, what to look out for, and how to transform your site from glossy pamphlet to thriving marketplace.

Sound good?

Ok, rambling over. Grab a pen, take some notes, and let's get to work.

1. You Are Dead to Me

Listen up, this is the number one cardinal sin when writing your own web copy. If you're not speaking directly to your audience's needs, desires, and pain points, you're flushing your marketing budget down the toilet.

Do your homework, create detailed buyer personas, and tailor your message to hit ‘em right in the sweet spot.

Connecting on a deep and emotional level is where the real magic happens. If you can’t nail this first step, you are dead to your audience.

2. Blah, Blah, Blah

You might think that using industry jargon makes you sound like a pro, but in reality, it's a surefire way to alienate your audience. Remember, you're not writing for fellow experts – you're writing for your customers.

Keep it simple and crystal clear. Explain those fancy terms. The goal here is to make your message easy to understand for potential customers.

3. “Man Kills Wife with Bad Breath”

Your headline is your first impression and prime online real estate. Don’t waste it on dull as dust jingles, or snooze-fest taglines.

Craft headlines that demand attention, spark curiosity, and make readers say, "Wait a second, what did I just read?”

A great headline must suck your audience into your offer, with ease and finesse.

For an added kick, use hooks to rope your reader in even faster. (For more on this, check out my previous post: “Writings Best Kept Secret”.)

4. Where’s the WIIFM

Features are boring. Customers crave damn good benefits. Don't just tell them what your product does; show them how it will change their lives.

Spell it out loud and clear: “This is how we're going to make your world a whole lot better.”

When in doubt, think - What’s In It For Me (WIIFM).

Remember, people don't buy products or services; they buy solutions to their problems. Tell them the transformational powers of your offer.

5. Is That Hair Gel?

Remember that scene in “There’s Something About Mary”, you know, the part where Ben Stiller has semen dangling from his ear?

A quick look in the mirror would have avoided that awks moment. (It was pure comedy gold, though.)

Proofreading is your mirror, checking for typos and grammatical errors in your copy can also avoid awks moments with your client.

A simple look over, and your credibility can live another day. However, being too lazy to check the difference between “there” and “their” is like still having gel dangling from your copy (eeuw!).

6. Take A Look at My Greatness

Hey, it's not about you—it's about your customer. Quit the ego trip. Turn the spotlight around and shine it on them.

Replace "we" with "you" and make sure your audience knows you're here to solve their problems.

They don't care about your awards and accolades; they ONLY care about how you can make their lives easier, better, or more enjoyable.

7. Creating a Road To Nowhere

If you don't tell your visitors what to do next, they won't do anything, or go somewhere else entirely.

Your CTA should be impossible to ignore, and highly persuasive.

Tell them what's in it for them now! Close your copy with action words, making your CTA deliciously irresistible.

8. Once Upon a Time…Zzzzz

Online readers have the attention span of a goldfish on caffeine, and long paragraphs shoots them off to dreamland.

Break text into bite-sized chunks, slap on subheadings, and make it easy for them to skim and absorb. Remember, you're not writing a novel; you're crafting web copy.

Use short paragraphs, and bullet points to make your content more digestible.

Pro-tip: Go check “From Boring to Brilliant: Transform Tired Marketing Messages into Stunning Stories”, if you’re interested in advanced copywriting hacks.

9. Text Only

Words are great, but a website that also uses vibrant visuals is memorable.

Your audience processes visual information faster, and it sticks in their brain longer. So, sprinkle some eye-catching images, videos, and infographics throughout your copy.

The trick is to find the Zen balance between words and pictures.

10. Have You Been Tested?

Your copy isn't set in stone, and it won’t be perfect from the get-go. Test, tweak, and test again.

Use A/B testing to figure out what resonates with your audience, and the changes they want.

Monitor user behavior, track conversion rates, and gather feedback to fine-tune your website for stunning results.

Ok, let’s wrap this up.

Your website is your frontline salesperson, working 24/7 when you’re not around.

Don’t let it screw up your pitch.

Avoid these ten copywriting sins like the plague, and you'll be well on your way to converting more leads, closing more deals, and…

Watch your business smile and blast off into the stratosphere…unlike poor Simon.

Bye for now.

P.S. Ready to level up your website, but simply don’t have the time, energy, or mental space to craft killer copy in a flash?

Contact us now, and let's transform your site into a conversion machine.

Remember, it’s your first impression prospects see, so make it a damn good one.

Looking forward to working with you,

Chat soon.