One of the most common goals within marketing is to rise through the ranks and be on page one of Google, Bing or Ask.com, but how is this achieved?
Having a well-crafted website is essential for any business, big or small. For small businesses, particularly your website acts as your digital storefront, helping you attract and engage potential customers. But creating content that speaks to your audience while also supporting your business goals? That’s where many business owners struggle.
To make things easier, we’ve put together 10 practical tips to help you write website content that’s engaging, clear, and optimised to drive results.
1. Understand Your Audience
Before you start writing, take a step back and think about who you’re speaking to. Your website content should be tailored to your ideal customer—what they need, what challenges they face, and how your business can help.
Consider asking yourself:
- Who is my ideal customer?
- What problems are they looking to solve?
- What kind of language or tone resonates with them?
Once you have these insights, your content will feel more natural, relatable, and persuasive.
2. Keep It Clear & Simple
People visit websites for quick, useful information—not lengthy, complicated text. Use straightforward language and break up content into easily digestible sections.
Some best practices include:
- Writing short, easy-to-read sentences
- Using clear headings and subheadings
- Incorporating bullet points or numbered lists to highlight key points
If someone lands on your site, they should understand what you offer and how it benefits them within seconds.
3. Use a Conversational Tone
Small businesses thrive on personal connections, so your website content should reflect that. Instead of formal, robotic language, aim for a warm, engaging tone that makes visitors feel welcome.
For example, instead of: “Our services aim to improve business operations.”
Try: “We’re here to help you run your business more efficiently so you can focus on what you do best.”
A friendly, approachable tone makes your brand feel more human.
4. Focus on Benefits, Not Just Features
Customers don’t just want to know what you offer—they want to know why it matters to them. Instead of simply listing features, highlight the benefits.
Example:
- Feature: “We offer next-day delivery.”
- Benefit: “Get your order delivered fast, so you can start using it right away!”
By shifting the focus to how your product or service solves a problem, you’ll create more compelling content.
5. Optimise for SEO Without Overdoing It
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) helps your website rank higher on Google, making it easier for potential customers to find you. However, stuffing your content with keywords can make it sound unnatural.
Instead, focus on:
- Naturally incorporating relevant keywords into your titles, headings, and first 100 words
- Writing compelling meta descriptions
- Using alt text for images
- Adding internal and external links where appropriate
A well-planned SEO content strategy ensures your website reaches the right audience while maintaining readability. Many businesses also invest in SEO content services to improve their rankings and attract organic traffic. For expert guidance, check out Moz’s SEO Beginner’s Guide.
6. Include Strong Calls to Action (CTAs)
Your website should guide visitors toward a specific action—whether it’s making a purchase, booking a consultation, or signing up for a newsletter.
Examples of strong CTAs:
- “Get your free quote today!”
- “Sign up now for exclusive offers!”
- “Book a call with us—we’d love to chat!”
Make sure your CTAs are clear, compelling, and easy to find. For more guidance on effective CTAs, visit HubSpot’s CTA Best Practices.
7. Share Your Brand Story
People love stories, and sharing yours helps build trust with your audience. Whether it’s how your business started, what you stand for, or the passion behind what you do—your brand story can make you more relatable and memorable.
For example, instead of just saying, “We sell handmade candles,” you could share:
“We started our candle-making journey in a small kitchen, inspired by a love for natural scents and eco-friendly products. Today, we hand-pour each candle with care, ensuring a toxin-free experience for our customers.”
This personal touch can make all the difference in building customer loyalty.
8. Craft Compelling Headlines
Your headlines should immediately capture attention and encourage visitors to keep reading. To make your headlines stand out:
- Keep them clear and concise
- Highlight the benefit to the reader
- Use engaging words like “easy,” “ultimate,” “best,” or “proven”
For example:
- “The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Small Business”
- “Get Fast, Reliable Shipping—Order Today & Save 20%!”
A strong headline can make the difference between a visitor staying or clicking away. Need help crafting attention-grabbing headlines? Check out Copyblogger’s Guide to Writing Headlines.
9. Leverage Social Proof
People trust recommendations more than advertisements. Incorporating social proof—like customer testimonials, reviews, or case studies—can help build credibility.
Ways to showcase social proof:
- Highlight positive customer testimonials
- Share success stories and case studies
- Display logos of trusted partners or media mentions
When potential customers see that others have had a great experience with your business, they’ll feel more confident in choosing you. For more on how social proof influences conversions, read Neil Patel’s Guide to Social Proof.
10. Keep Your Content Fresh & Updated
A website with outdated information can hurt your credibility. Regularly updating your content ensures that visitors always find relevant, up-to-date information.
Make it a habit to:
- Refresh old blog posts with new insights
- Update product descriptions and service offerings
- Remove outdated information
Not only does this keep visitors engaged, but it also signals to search engines that your site is active, which can boost your rankings.
A well-maintained content marketing strategy includes regular updates, ensuring your site remains competitive in search results. Many small businesses turn to content marketing services for expert guidance on keeping their website relevant and engaging. For additional insights, check out Content Marketing Institute’s Strategy Guide.
Final Thoughts
Great website content isn’t just about filling up pages with words—it’s about crafting a message that resonates with your audience, builds trust, and drives action.
By keeping things clear, conversational, and customer-focused, you can turn your website into a powerful tool for business growth. Keep refining your content, test what works best, and always prioritise providing value.
If you’re looking for expert support, investing in SEO content and content marketing services can help you develop a strong SEO content strategy that boosts traffic and conversions.
Now it’s time to put these tips into action—happy writing!
