Does your business website include needless words that water down your message? Want to streamline your copy and make your site more persuasive?
In the digital age, your website serves as the digital face of your business. It’s often the first point of contact between potential customers and your brand. Therefore, it’s crucial to make a great first impression. One often overlooked aspect of creating a compelling website is the choice of words and phrases used in its content.
Your website’s language can have a profound impact on how users perceive your brand, interact with your site, and ultimately, convert into loyal customers. In this blog post, we’ll explore 23 words or phrases that you should eliminate from your website to improve user experience, credibility, and conversions.
Global English Editing share their website writing tips in this infographic.
- “Click Here”: Using “Click Here” for your call-to-action buttons is outdated and lacks descriptive value. Instead, use action-oriented phrases that tell users what they can expect, like “Download Now” or “Get Started.
- “Welcome to Our Website”: Your visitors know they’re on your website, so skip the obvious welcome message. Start with compelling content that grabs their attention right away.
- “Home Page”: Instead of labeling your homepage as “Home,” use a more descriptive title that tells visitors what they’ll find there, like “Explore Our Products” or “Start Your Journey.”
- “We”: Avoid excessive use of “we” or “our company” in your content. Focus on the customer and use “you” and “your” to address their needs and interests.
- “Buy Now”: While it’s essential to encourage conversions, the phrase “Buy Now” can sound pushy. Try more user-friendly alternatives like “Add to Cart” or “Shop Now.”
- “Submit”: Replace generic form button text like “Submit” with context-specific action words. For example, use “Send My Inquiry” or “Subscribe to Newsletter.”
- “Learn More”: This phrase is vague and doesn’t provide a clear benefit. Opt for descriptive labels such as “Discover Our Services” or “Find Out How It Works.”
- “Guarantee”: While guarantees are important, the word itself can trigger skepticism. Instead, use “Promise” or “Assure” to convey trustworthiness.
- “Cheap”: Avoid the term “cheap” as it can cheapen your brand. Use “Affordable” or “Budget-Friendly” to communicate value without sacrificing quality.
- “Limited Time Offer”: This phrase is overused and may not create a sense of urgency. Try “Exclusive Offer” or “Act Now” to make your offer more enticing.
- “Unique”: Rather than simply stating something is “unique,” explain what sets it apart. Use phrases like “One-of-a-Kind” or “Unlike Anything Else.”
- “Cutting-Edge”: This term is subjective and can be seen as a buzzword. Instead, provide specific details about the innovation or technology you offer.
- “Revolutionary”: Similar to “cutting-edge,” “revolutionary” is often overused and may not carry much weight. Share concrete achievements or advancements instead.
- “State-of-the-Art”: Like the previous two, this phrase can come across as generic. Describe the specific features or benefits of your technology or product.
- “Best”: Superlatives like “best” are difficult to substantiate and can lead to skepticism. Share awards, reviews, or rankings to support your claims.
- “Free”: While offering something for free can be enticing, be transparent about any conditions or limitations. Instead of just “Free,” say “Free Trial” or “No Cost.”
- “Amazing”: This word is subjective and lacks specificity. Describe what’s amazing about your product or service to make it more convincing.
- “Innovative”: Instead of using this vague term, showcase how your product or service solves a problem or improves an existing process.
- “Once in a Lifetime”: This phrase can sound exaggerated and insincere. Use it sparingly and only for genuinely unique opportunities.
- “Best-Selling”: Like “best,” this word can raise skepticism. If your product is a best-seller, provide sales figures or testimonials to back it up.
- “Groundbreaking”: Rather than claiming something is groundbreaking, explain how it advances the industry or solves a pressing issue.
- “Cheap Price”: Avoid focusing solely on price. Emphasize value and quality instead. Use phrases like “Great Value” or “Affordable Quality.”
- “Secret”: Phrases like “Unlock the Secret” can seem gimmicky. If you have valuable information, present it as insights or tips instead.
In conclusion, the words and phrases you use on your website play a crucial role in shaping the perception of your brand and influencing user actions. By eliminating these 23 common but potentially problematic words and phrases, you can create more user-friendly, credible, and persuasive web content. Remember, your website should be a reflection of your brand’s uniqueness and authenticity, so choose your words carefully to make a lasting impression on your visitors.
Author:
Mark Ford
