A lot of work goes into writing great website copy. But if you’re not crafting effective website headlines, none of it will matter.
So, what are some examples of some world-class headlines?
Well, there’s millions of them out there. But a killer headline does the following:
- Excites people
- Intrigues them to keep reading
- Inspire them to take action
- Makes them feel things… Anything!
It seems simple, doesn’t it? But trust us. We’ve written over 100 websites. And we still see people get this wrong.
But what’s the point of writing effective website headlines? Does it really matter that much?
Well, here’s the ugly truth:
Only 20% of readers get past your headline. So when you’re selling services online, that’s not something you can afford to get wrong.
Sadly, there are too many misconceptions about website headlines.
Some people think a headline needs to be stuffed with jargon. Nope. False.
An effective website headline speaks in your customer’s language. Not yours. When your prospect looks at it, they should know exactly what it means. After all, how will you make a sale if your customers’ noses are buried in a dictionary?
Some people think it needs to be mysterious or vague. Also no.
Oh, and you’d be surprised by how many lame, generic headlines we still see. Headlines like “We help people” or “Go further faster.” No. These headlines don’t lead to sales. These headlines are vague, confusing, and BORING.
Website copy shouldn’t make you scratch your head. Or make you fall asleep. It should excite you and keep your wanting more.
So, how else can you spot effective website headlines?
- They’re simple: Great headlines get to the point quickly. The second your reader can’t keep up, they’ll turn elsewhere. Worse, they’ll go to a competitor’s website.
- They avoid clickbait: It’s not 1994. Today, readers can sniff our clickbait-y headlines from a mile away. And this never leads anywhere good. All it does is create negative impression of the website and lead to a loss of trust.
- They’re free of spelling errors and inconsistencies: Ever encountered a website that was rife with spelling errors and inconsistencies? Yikes. Reeks of unprofessionalism, doesn’t it?
- They’re relevant: This plays an extra important role in your sub-headlines. Think of your them as relevant conversational pieces answering your customer’s questions before they even come up.
On the hunt for great resources to write your headlines? Start with Dan Nelken. He’s got some amazing tips on writing a title that will make your users e
But ask them this: Have they actually written website copy? Have they measured its impact? If not… It might be better to get it from people who have.
