Most seasoned traditional copywriter who had great success on paper failed miserably when it come to web copywriting.
I know I have when I first transitioned online.
I used the same formula, the same approach, the same system but results just aren't as ideal as expected.
Web copywriting is a whole other game and there are numerous factors that we, as web copywriters, have to consider that our traditional counterparts don't.
Sure, the basics are the same.
Things such as a powerful headline, a compelling story and research are still a must to succeed online but here's 5 critical components of web copywriting that you must take note of the next time you are crafting a web copy.
1.
When you are writing a web copy, you are writing not only for your prospects, you are also writing to the search engines.
This might sound obvious enough but it has profound effects.
For one, if you are using the wrong words, the search engines, one of internet's most powerful traffic drivers, will bring you all the wrong prospects...
or worse still, it doesn't bring you anyone.
It's like a bad mailing list.
So before you write a word online, make sure you do your keyword research and target the correct ones...
unfortunately, this is a whole mastery in itself and it's out of the scope of this article.
2.
People surfing the web are different from people offline.
When they go online, they are almost always looking for something specific (unless you are running myspace or facebook).
They have a problem in mind and if you aren't quick to relate to the problem in the first few seconds, they will the back button and disappear.
It's so much easier than leaving a store or getting rid of pesky salesman.
3.
It's easy to test your copy online - sometimes it requires only a few copy and paste on your part and it's done.
Results and statistics come in real time and you can act upon it almost immediately.
Plus, you only need to pay extra for the software...
unless you need high-end testing unnecessary for the average marketers.
Testing allows you to know - beyond the shadow of doubt - whether a web copy converts or not, so make sure you implement a testing system before you roll out.
4.
Unlike offline, you can create dynamic landing pages that can relate to the prospects on an individual level.
Some scripts allows you to display different  headlines - or any part of the web copy - to different people, depending on variables that you set.
You can customize the page with their name, their concerns or any other thing that you can capture before they land on your web copy.
Will that help your conversions? You tell me.
5.
My last tip is the easiest, yet one of the most over-looked one.
When writing online, make sure you track what internet connection you typical browsers use.
This is important because if they have slow connection - and you website takes a long time to load - they leave without even reading the first word! Make sure your website are not too graphically laden.
You can easily do this by using Google Analytics, a free tracking script offered by...
well, Google.
So there, 5 web copywriting tips to boost your conversion by as much as 500%.
I have to admit that's a little exaggeration...
my actual result was only 478%...
but try it!