If you’ve ever wondered what the ideal length for website copy is, then you’ve come to the right place.
Today, you’ll discover the ideal length for the different types of website copy. This way, you never have to wonder if your copy is too long or too short.
The quality of content you produce is far more important than the number of words. However, the quantity of content on your web pages is still relevant for search engines.
According to experts, 300 should be the minimum number of words on your webpage. They mentioned that if the content is too short, Google may fail to rank your site.
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Why Does Website Copy Length Matter?
The length of your website’s copy can have a significant impact on its SEO, readability, conversion, and retention scores.
If your content is too short, your visitors may not receive enough information, value, or credibility.
If you talk for too long, you risk losing their attention, interest, or trust. Finding the right balance is critical for achieving your goals and meeting your users’ needs and expectations.
What’s The Main Goal of Website Copy?
The primary goal of your website copy is to convey your message effectively and entice your reader to take action while remaining concise. Remember, you only have a few seconds to capture someone’s attention and sell your idea, regardless of the rules and formulas you follow.
Whether you’re creating content for your website in-house or hiring a web content writer, there are a few things you should think about before you start writing. One of these is length.
Before you begin writing website copy, define your goals and objectives. What are you trying to accomplish with your content? Who are you hoping to reach and influence? What are the actions you want them to take? How do you assess your success?
Having clear and specific answers to these questions will aid in determining the scope, structure, and tone of your website copy.
So, What’s the Ideal Length for Website Copy?
The numbers vary, but your website copy should be between 300 and 2000 words to achieve the best results with SEO. Some experts recommend that your blog posts should have a minimum of 300 or 500 words.
The exact word count required on any given page is not set in stone. It is up to you to create copy that is concise, creative, and engaging. If you happen to need 2000 words to get this done, that’s fine! Just make sure your copy is not full of fluff.
Tips to Determine The Length of Your Website Copy
Use these tips below to gauge the ideal length of your website copy:
1. Be helpful and relevant
Relevant content is essential for creating effective website copy. Write for humans, not search engines. You’re not selling your product to search engines but to people. Be interesting, solve a problem, and propose a solution.
2. Stay focused
Each page should only cover one topic or service/product offering. Trying to fit too many ideas onto one page will confuse and distract readers.
3. Be concise
In terms of content length, less is more. Maintain succinctness while conveying your point. You want to write enough to persuade your target customer to take action and want to learn more, but you’ll lose their attention after a certain point. You have about 8 seconds to get someone’s attention.
4. Incorporate headlines
Readers prefer to scan information from website pages. Make sure your website content includes headlines that will guide readers’ eyes as they scan the page. Including an H1 tag (headlines) on each web page boosts on-page search engine optimization.
5. Use bullet points
Consider the following example. Whenever possible, bullet out ideas and tips to help readers absorb information quickly. Bulleted lists are easier to read and remember.
6. Be consistent
Many businesses make the common mistake of being inconsistent in their tone and message. Having a consistent voice helps people remember you, increases their perception of reliability, and improves your overall branding and messaging.
7. Add calls to action
The majority of website content is designed to compel users to take action. Calls-to-action (CTA) should appear on all of your site pages. What does this mean? Encourage them to do something on each page, preferably at the end or on the side. Ideas for CTAs include:
- Add a link to your contact page.
- Provide free information in the form of a whitepaper or guide.
- Encourage visitors to sign up for your e-newsletter and connect with you through social media. Remember to explain WHY too. There’s nothing interesting about a business that simply says, “Follow us on Facebook” without explaining why. Explain what’s in it for them.
Factors That Influence the Length of Your Website Copy
Here are some factors that influence the ideal length for website copy:
1. Your Target Audience
Your audience is an important factor to consider when determining the ideal length for website copy. You must understand who they are, what they want, need, care about, and how they behave online.
Analytics, surveys, interviews, personas, and user journeys can all help you learn more about your target audience, including their preferences and pain points.
This will allow you to tailor your website copy to their specific needs and expectations, delivering the right message at the right time.
2. The Web Copy Format
The format of your website copy influences how long it should be. Different types of content need different lengths and formats to effectively convey your message.
For example, a landing page may require concise and compelling copy that emphasizes your value proposition and encourages visitors to take action.
A blog post may require a longer and more informative copy to educate your readers and establish your authority.
A product page may require detailed and persuasive copy that highlights your features and benefits and addresses your customers’ concerns.
3. Your Industry
The industry in which you operate also influences the ideal length of your website copy. Different industries have different requirements for how long and detailed their website copy should be.
For example, a finance website may require a longer and more technical copy that explains complex concepts and regulations while also establishing trust and credibility.
A fashion website may require shorter, more creative copy that appeals to emotions, and aesthetics and motivates action.
4. Testing and Optimization
Testing and optimization are the final factors that influence the optimal length of your website’s copy.
You must measure and analyze how well your website copy performs in terms of SEO, readability, conversion, and retention.
Google Analytics, Google Search Console, A/B testing, heatmaps, and feedback forms can all be used to collect and evaluate data on how your website copy affects visitor behavior and satisfaction.
You can then use this information to tweak and improve your website copy until you find the perfect length for your objectives, audience, industry, and format.
If you’d like to know more, here is the ideal length for different types of copy.
Other Things To Consider As Regards Your Website Copy
Good website copy is one of the most effective ways to boost your SEO rankings. Other ways to ensure your copy is effective at helping you rank and getting you more business include:
- Use SEO-friendly formatting (e.g., short paragraphs, header tags, meta description, etc.)
- Use the correct keywords.
- Ensure that your text is readable.
- Edit until it is perfect.
- Use SEO software or plugins to know how optimized your content is.
If you’re struggling to write good copy for your own business, hiring a copywriter can be a wise decision.
Grow Your Business with Expert Copywriting
If you need help with your copy and would like to take your business to the next level with expert copywriting, contact us today!
Our team of professional copywriters can help you craft compelling messages that connect with your audience and drive sales.
Don’t let bad copy hold you back – reach out to us now and see the difference a professional touch can make!
Maku Seun is a direct-response marketer and copywriter. He helps brands boost sales through proven direct-response digital marketing strategies, generating over $1.2 million for his clients.