[Mesa]

Hi everyone.

I'm working through the content I'm going to have on my freelance site and always seem to get stuck when it comes to the homepage.

I realise it's hard to offer advice when what I'm asking is so removed from context, but currently I'm wrestling with either having information about me on the homepage, or as a separate "about me" page. There's not going to be a lot of content so having its own page may seem a little excessive. I'm going to try to avoid the whole "passionate about web standards and compliant code" stuff, I feel it irrelevant especially for the homepage.

What I know I am going to have on the homepage is a few paragraphs talking about why to get a website etc.

Any suggestions at this early stage?
Cheers, Rob.

[Rachael]

I think a small introductory paragraph that gives visitors a slight teaser about you would be a good idea, and then link to your more in depth about page. It's enough to get visitors interested and hopefully read more, but it should provide enough information so your visitors can decide whether they're interested or not.

If that makes sense? o_O

[wizely]

First piece of advice - move this thread to the copywriting section!!!!

If you want my honest opinion... I'm not overly convinced by the explaining why you need a website thing. It's what a lot of sites do (I know I've rewritten a few of them to stop doing it!) and it's almost as bad as the "solutions/ passion" thing you quite rightly pointed-out you want to avoid. Explanation and persuasion are much weaker than some pizaz and personality and a big fat juicy hook, especially on the home page.

My advice is to come up with something completely unique and refreshing. Your homepage's copy has, amongst others, got these 5 jobs to do:

• Grab attention
  
• Tell the visitor you're relevant to what they were looking for
  
• Make you stand-out
  
• Build credibility and trust fast
  
• Lead visitors where you want them to go next

One of the easiest ways to handle this for a freelance web designer is through humour and striking text. Don't fall into the trap of bland corporate waffle. Subtly weave persuasive elements throughout your site and keep explanation to a minimum - it's the old novel writer's adage of "show don't tell". If your design style is sharp and modern - make your copy the same. If your design style is smooth and organic or vivid and daring... well, you get the picture!

[Mesa]

Thanks for the tips, personally I find it the hardest and most important part of the site so I want to take my time and get it right.

As I said, I want to avoid the usual drivel about web standards and complaint code, the people I'll be targeting won't know (or care, to start with) and it won't connect to them as they read. I hate the way freelancers bang on about being individual but a hell of a lot seem to have the same homepage mantra about standards.

I'll have to have a good long think, thanks for your comments.

[Mesa]

My copy sucks.

I've been reading a bit about writing copy and am trying some basics. Obviously at this very early stage I'm still learning all the time and have tried an old trusted method of writing good copy.

My first attempt below, it's a little obvious and clumsy and I'm putting it up here to see if I'm even close. This isn't really what would be on the site, more of a practice.

"You want a website because you realise that you’re missing out on the action. However you don’t want to spend a load of cash on something you know very little about. This is where I come in. As a professional web designer with crazy skills I make sure you get a fantastic website built around your budget. This means you can get on with what you do best, whilst I get on with what I do best. Did you think it would be that easy?"

OK so it's not going to win any prizes but I want to know if I'm heading in the right direction. I've also thought about opening with a question rather than a statement.

Any tips very welcome, thanks.

[Quimp]

The "This is where I come in." bit is almost a cliché now. I'd try to avoid it personally. Can you think of a theme you'd like to use throughout your site? From there, you'd be able to introduce wit/humor as wizely pointed out. I think it'd work better than saying you have crazy skills.

[Sam Christy]

I agree, 'crazy skills' just sounds to informal in my opinion.

[stevebrown]

Your writing pitch also depends on your target audience. If you are catering for business, try to leave out personal gestures. If you want to do work for individuals, thats fine.

However I think you need to tone down some of your pitch; 'crazy skills' 'this is what i do best' etc. It is far from professional.

[wizely]

stevebrown, on Oct 12 2008, 08:52, said:

If you are catering for business, try to leave out personal gestures. If you want to do work for individuals, thats fine.

This is where I'd just ask - who reads your words? Is it a 'business' or is it a person? It's a big mistake to remove personality from your copy just because it's B2B.
Quite right though, what you've written needs toning down and try to use verbs and concrete/vivid description instead of propping-up weak description with words like "fantastic" and "crazy". It's along the right lines but don't try to cram so much in. Best thing you can do is read it out loud to yourself (or better still someone who's never read it before read it out to you) and you'll see that it doesn't flow too well and stumbles around a bit.