Hello everyone,

I've been getting a few hits a week on my website through a great site called marketingtool.com but I'm not getting calls.

Would any of you be so kind as to critique my site?

It is:

www.scribeforhire.net

Not to be confused with scribeforhire.com which is the site of another copywriter.

I've been gun shy about revising it because I don't know how to use Dreamweaver (although I'm beginning to learn) and I don't know if I want to spend more money on web design. But now that I can see that I'm getting hits without getting calls, I think it's time to take this seriously.

I think I know what the biggest problem is, but I won't say what. I'd like to hear what you have to say.

Thank you!

Janet

Hi Janet,

The site looks great...but I see no benefits.

In my opinion, it all goes back to the basics, which is where I'm at, and that is "Whats in it for me?"

I'd have to assume that if these people are landing on your site from MarketingTools.com, they're hot, solid prospects....give them a reason to pick-up the phone or email you.

Benefits...Benefits...Benefits...

They're looking for a solution...so give it to them...

by the way, if u need help with your site (dreamweaver), just shoot me an PM, I'd be glad to help...thats my cup of tea.

Cartess

In addition to lack of benefits (or probably elaborating on that point), the terms on the home page are pretty vague and standard. Do you have figures showing how much you boosted someone's conversion? Do you have percentages, dollar values, etc.? Putting that into the headline would maintain all of the ethical quidelines you follow (and with which I agree) and add to the tone and confidence of the page.

I like the homepage layout, too- easy to process different areas of the screen in about .2 seconds. I'm not crazy about the color scheme or the font, though. I'd also recommend using more lists, bold, etc. to bring out major ideas.

Just a thought... is the "specialties" note on the bottom of the first screen limiting you? In other words, perhaps people see the two areas of focus and click away uninterested. If they're looking for an ad, letter, brochure, etc. they may not get the idea that you do all of that, too (do you?). Perhaps having a list of general projects, then the specialty list... or a subheading incorporating both (e.g. "Although web content and press releases are my bread and butter, I am still the obvious choice for brochures, letters, etc..." and have the numbers to prove it, if you can.

Lastly, how about the entire right side of the page being testimonials, rather than one?

Hope this doesn't sound too negative--not intended as such.

Alex Stiner

Thanks Cartess and Alex,

I think part of the problem is that I don't know that I've boosted anyone's conversion rate. I need to contact my customers.

I'm not offended by all, Alex, I've been nervous about asking for a critique, but that is what I asked for.

Thanks very much for the offer to help with Dreamweaver, Cartess!

One other thing - I think the testimonials are weak. I got them when I first put up the site. Again, I plan to create a questionnaire for my current and past clients and include a request for testimonials.

I may add an incentive for replying to the questionaire. Maybe 20% off my rates for up to five hours of work.

Thanks very much for your comments! I will read them again more carefully and think about how to incorporate your suggestions into my site.

Janet

Thats really a great idea! You'll often find that most of them will take you up on that offer, which of course equals more work

Cartess

Janet,

I had the same problem with lack of statistics...So I didn't list any. I made claims and didn't back them with numbers. I got business, but I had to charge much less than I do now. But over time, I got numbers.

But don't forget your own website. How much business has it brought? Has your copy brought other business? I mean have you sent out direct mail and had responses? If so, then you have a success rate you can post.

Good point, Eric, thanks!

Janet

Hi Janet,

As a freelance copywiter your online sales page is critical.

Yours is talking too much about yourself and not enough about...

1. The benefits you'll provide.

You need a headline at the top of the page describing the greatest pay off to your client for hiring you.


2. Remove the work I from your copy.

Replace with the word you and rewrite the copy as necessary.

That should help.


3. The press release is an interesting angle and you could even consider having a seperate page for that.

If I was writing copy to sell press releases I'd write from my own experience

(I'm sure you've done a ton of press releases and you can do something similar to this...)



Read On To Discover How You Could Get 44,236 Web Site Hits In Just 24 Hours From Just One Press Release...

Would You Like To Appear On 40 Commercial Radio Stations Across Australia - Over And Over

AND Have Permission To Pitch Your Product On The Air After Two FULL HOURS On The Air...

You can do this and more from someone who's done it in the real world and knows from personal experience how to turn free publicity into cash in the bank for your business...

In fact I'm so confident I can get you on 40 commercial radio stations across Australia for at least one solid hour of air time I guarantee it or I'll refund 100% of your money!!



Something like that will get attention.

With press releases you can charge more and offer a guarantee.

And if you have media connections (I'm sure you have some) then you already know beforehand you can deliver.

Simply send your contacts an email and pitch your client BEFORE you accept them.

I've helped quite a few people get MASSIVE coverage this way and the guarantee is compelling.

I hope that helps.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh
Freelance Online Copywriter

Andrew, thank you. Great ideas. I can't make the promises you mention. I did get some nice newspaper coverage after sending a press release on my own business, so I should probably mention that.

A question for anyone willing to answer: my feeling was that the big weakness on my site was weak testimonials, and not enough. The stupidest thing is that I got an email in April - a woman told me her conversion rate tripled after implementing my changes! At the time I wrote back and asked if I could use that as a testimonial and she said sure, but I never did use it.

This morning I'm busy learning Dreamweaver so I can get it up there.

Thanks for the critique!

Janet

You know, I never once asked for testimonials.

I send the client a job, if I get a positive reply like "This copy looks great" then it becomes a testimonial. I never ask for permission to use it...I just post it. Does anyone see a problem with that?

Janet, I'm still not convinced that testimonials make or break copy. I use them if I have them, but I've never noticed any conversion changes with it.