Get a better website with a copywriter-designer collaboration

You need a new website you can be proud of to reach your ambitious business goals, and there’s a lot to think about… A new website takes thought and consideration to get right, and you want it done right.

The experts you hire make a huge difference to your end product. Perhaps you already have a website designer or a copywriter in mind, or maybe you’re at the early fact-finding stages and you want to know how to approach it. Either way, it’s useful to understand how these two specialists can work together. 

I’m a website copywriter, and I’ve asked an expert website designer for their thoughts too, so I can share a non-biased view from both sides. 

Read on to hear the ideal situation for getting your website designer and copywriter to work in tandem and give you the best results. 

Why designer-copywriter collaboration matters 

Instead of hiring people at different times who don’t work together, when you get both parties on board, you: 

• Have to work less to get the results you want 
• Won’t be waiting as long for the final outcome 
• Know the message and design will work together 
• Are more likely to be found on Google, as both on-page and off-page SEO is considered from the start 

Basically, you get a better result – and your life is made easier in the process. When you get great copy working with design, your new website will shine ✨

Whenever the opportunity arises to work with a website designer for my client projects, I snap it up. 

When people come to me first, I will recommend someone suitable if they don’t already have someone, and this makes the designer’s life easier too. They know that the copy isn’t going to hold the project up. 

So getting both parties involved from the start is a win-win. We can work around each other’s timelines, and even speak to each other without you for quick updates, if you’d prefer that. 

What to NOT do when you want a new website 

Before we get into the ideal designer-copywriter situation for your website, let’s go over a few things to avoid…

1. Not planning properly and winging it

Getting a new website is an investment in both your time and cash, whether you’re upgrading an existing one or starting from scratch. You need to have clear business goals and understand why this website is necessary for you. 

• Are you trying to reach a new audience? 
• Does your branding reflect an old version of you? 
• Which services do you want to sell more of? 
• Is there anything you want to scrap or streamline?
• How does the website fit into your wider marketing strategy? 

By knowing what your priorities and goals are, both the designer and copywriter can help you to get there. But without this clear direction, it’s like throwing spaghetti at a wall and seeing what sticks…

2. Not understanding your customers

For your website to be a success, you need to understand your customers. Although your designer and copywriter should do their own research, they’re guided by you. So it’s important for you to have a clear understanding of your audience before you start. 

• What are their needs, fears, desires, and goals? 
• How do you help overcome those challenges?
• What’s the transformation? 

This information will not only craft the message that’s right for them, but it will also inform the design and user experience of the website. 

3. Not investing time or money in the process

Time and time again, I’ve heard of people who have hired their friend who can design websites for next to nothing, only for it to be unfinished a year later. 

If you are serious about stepping up your business and getting a new website that reflects your brand how you want, don’t scrimp. 

Every day your website is sitting there looking either old and unattractive, or it’s nowhere to be seen, is a day where you’re potentially losing out on sales. 

Hiring professionals – and paying for their expertise – means you’re their number one priority and you’ll reap the rewards. 

4. Choosing form over function 

Words that ‘sound good’ aren’t necessarily the words that sell your business, nor does a ‘fancy design’ usually lead to sales. Bear this in mind before you start, as flashy isn’t always wise… always prioritise clarity and ease of use.

Which comes first, website copy or design?

This question is often debated and can cause plenty of confusion. Many people assume you should get the website designer on board first, then hire a copywriter. 

I, and plenty of other website designers who I’ve asked, disagree. 

The ideal situation is to get both your designer and copywriter on board from the beginning. 

But if you can’t get them done simultaneously, you should always get the website copy done first. That’s because it can help to inform the design, as you aren’t trying to cram words into a pre-existing layout. 

If you have to choose, get your copy done first 

Have you ever tried to fit your feet into shoes that are too small? To me, that’s what writing copy for a pre-designed website is like. Awkwardly trying to make it fit, when you’d be better off buying a new size… and getting some blisters along the way. 

When you work on your website copy first, it means you and your designer have a clear understanding of who you’re targeting, your tone, and the ‘vibe’ to give off. 

Plus, the information can be designed to make the copy sing, rather than it getting lost. 

Questions to a website designer about the ideal process

To illustrate my point, I’d like to introduce you to my friend and brilliant website designer, Iain Fergus. Iain runs Dark Flare Design, and I asked him a few questions for the purpose of this blog post. 

How does having the copy first impact your process?

“Designing a website without the copy isn’t much better than using an off-the-shelf template, there are benefits, but you’re still effectively making the copy fit within the design’s constraints. 

 

Having the copy first allows me to design a website around its scale and structure. The tone of voice may influence the visual style, the content will direct the use of markup and page structure (for example, the use of headings and their hierarchy), and the language used will guide the labels used for buttons and other call-to-actions. 

 

It also allows for key sections of copy written to convince prospective customers to be pulled out and highlighted visually.” 

What’s your ideal situation when it comes to working with a copywriter? 

“The ideal situation is that the copywriter is involved at an early stage. I’m always happy to discuss the project directly with the copywriter, but equally happy to receive draft or final copy prior to starting work on a design if the client has arranged this prior to approaching me.

 

I’m fairly flexible when it comes to communication. Usually, the copy itself is provided by email, and that can work for any correspondence, however, I’m happy to speak on the phone or over video conferencing too. In fact, that’s often beneficial for going over specific details quickly, and avoids too much back and forth by email.”

How many projects have been delayed when people say, ‘I’ll write my own copy’?

I asked this question because I’ve had at least 7 website designers complain about this to me before…

“Most of them. Some clients are great at writing about themselves and their business, but it’s rare that someone is able to do this and provide it quickly. It’s usually something they have to try and fit in around running their business and as such doesn’t take a priority. 

 

Even if they can write well and can provide the copy quickly, it’s even rarer that they will have considered things like SEO.”

Why would you, as a designer, tell people to invest in professional website copywriting?

“Ultimately, they’ll end up with a better website that’s more likely to be found. A slick or pretty looking website is worth nothing without good content, and good content will be limited by poor design, they’ve got to work together. 

 

Professional website copywriting will provide copy that communicates succinctly, convinces customers to buy, and considers SEO.”

Check if your current website is costing you sales with my free quiz.

Hire a copywriter and designer team for your shiny new website

As you can see, there are no negatives to hiring a designer-copywriter team who can work together… only positives. 

As a specialist website copywriter, I love working with high-end service-based or creative businesses looking to take their DIY website into something that makes their ideal clients think, ‘Hell yeah!’. 

I also tailor your copy to suit the search engines, using SEO on-page best practices so you’re more likely to get found. 

Ready to attract your dream clients? Get in touch to book a free 20-minute strategy call to transform your website copy.

If you want to chat with Iain about your website design and build, he’s got years of experience working with a wide range of businesses. Check out Iain’s website, follow him on Instagram, or connect on LinkedIn.  

And yes, we can (and do) work together!