If you have stumbled across this article, that means you are already thinking about setting up or redesigning a website for your business. You’ve done your research, but there’s a dilemma that arose. “Should I hire a web designer or a copywriter first?” The copywriter-web designer dilemma is a difficult one to answer.
On the surface, it seems like copywriters and web designers are doing different things—copywriters write copy for websites while web designers create visual layouts for them. But in reality, they’re both working on the same project: telling your business’s story through words or design. If one person doesn’t understand how the other contributes, there will be issues down the line.
We’ll do our best to explain both processes as well as the pros and cons of each to help you make an informed decision, and hopefully resolve your dilemma so your website can start generating clients for your business immediately.
Copywriting Is the Process of Writing Text That Will Encourage Readers to Take a Specific Action on Your Website
A copywriter’s job is to write a copy that will convince readers to take an action. The copy can be the text on your “Contact Us” page. The goal in this case would be to persuade people to take action, that is to contact you. Copywriters need to come up with persuasive and concise Call-To-Actions, but also to write engaging copy that people will read.
A copywriter will also take into account factors such as: who you are trying to reach and why they should read what you have written; the type of content being created (e.g., if it’s sales copy, then there might need to be more persuasive language); and any knowledge of psychology that would make readers feel compelled to click through links in order to find out more.
Copywriting takes place throughout the entire web design process – before starting with wireframes or planning layouts – so copywriters work closely with web designer from start-to-finish.
Skills copywriters need:
- Persuasion
- Clear, concise writing style (with a focus on clarity and brevity)
- Knowledge of how to use words effectively in different contexts or markets without sounding pretentious or unprofessional
- Ability to capture clear messaging based on their research into the intended audience’s needs and preferences across channels such as email, social media posts, press releases etc., often with limited copy space available.
If copywriter does his job, you’ll start getting calls and orders from potential clients. But is that everything?
Design Is What a Website Looks Like in Order to Appeal to Your Ideal Client
Design is what makes a website look like to appeal to your ideal client, whether you are selling to a company (B2B) or to a consumers (B2C). A copywriter will not design the layout or work on graphics, but they need to work with designers to create aligned concept.
For example: The copywriters of this blog post have created content that resolves the dilemma whether you should hire a web designer or a copywriter first ; they did not create the graphic images you see in this article.
Designing for conversions means focusing on creating website that make visitors want to take action – whether by signing up for your newsletter or clicking through to purchase something online. While there are many elements involved with conversion optimization (e.g., color scheme), design must be focused primarily around making people want to click links related to whatever goal we’re trying to achieve as marketers because once readers are on the web page, they’ll scroll down and read whatever is there.
This means integrating call-to-action buttons or links to allow readers of your web pages to purchase a product without having to click through multiple web pages (UX and UI design); getting engaged with social media channels such as Facebook or Twitter which are optimized for conversions (e.g., by using large icons that will tempt people into clicking)
Copywriters and web designers have the same goal: to make visitors buy from you. They only use different tools: words and visuals. By working together, a copywriter and a web designer create a website that is a constant stream of new clients for your business.
Communication Between Web Designer and Copywriter - The Key to High Converting Website
It’s important to have a web designer and copywriter who understand how images and words work together to create an effective message.
The web designer should know the target audience and what will convert their visitors into clients. A web designer must be able to create a website that is visually appealing, but also has areas for conversion so people want to explore more of your web pages. The website has to have a perfect flow.
On the other hand, copywriters need to create persuasive content with concise writing styles in order to get potential customers hooked at first sight – they are responsible for knowing how different types of web pages (e.g., sales or blog) work as well as capturing clear messaging based on research about the readers’ needs across channels such as email, social media posts, press releases etc.
If there isn’t communication between both parties before starting any web design or copywriting project; then many things can go wrong.
You must make sure web designers and copywriters are aligned to create a website that is effective, clear, easy-to-navigate for your web visitors. Clear messaging saves you time and money because it will give more attention to the reader’s needs than just providing them with what they want.
Inaccurate information given by either party could lead customers astray while browsing your site which leads to a web designer being blamed for a copywriter’s shortcomings and vice versa.
Since web designers are experts in conveying design messages to customers through visuals, they should be the ones responsible for understanding how colors or fonts can affect conversions.
While there may seem like too many cooks in the kitchen, if you hire both web designers and copywriters at once it will save time because of alignment: The web designer understands what type of content needs to go where while the copywriter is able to create persuasive text with clear writing styles based off research about reader preferences across channels and industries. Copywriter has to know your ideal client: what keeps them up at night, how your product or service can solve their problems, and to overcome their objections.
Pros and Cons When Design Comes First
Sometimes, business owners decide to hire a Web designer or a copywriter first. That’s not the best-case scenario, but if you decide to hire a designer first, keep in mind these pros and cons:
Pros:
- Your web pages will be beautiful and modern, and you’ll immediately see what your website will look like. The copywriter will know approximately how to implement copy into design.
- Your web pages will be functional, which is one of the important things to keep in mind.
- Not only will your website look beautiful and be functional but it would also be optimized in technical aspect.
- For example, in an industry such as fashion where people like images more than words; then it may turn out okay to hire a web designer first.
Cons:
- The major downside of hiring a web designer first is the possibility that it will negatively impact how much copywriting work you need. Sometimes there will be so much space that copywriter will run out of ideas and fill it with fluff, immediately making the copy less effective. That will result in less clients = less money for your business.
- If the product description is not finalized before the design phase, there may not be enough space for it to fit. This can lead people to not realizing the value of your offer, and decreasing in conversion rates on your website.
- When the copywriter writes too many words, it can ruin the design. People love symmetry, and bad alignment can turn potential clients away.
- All of the above will probably make your life, life of a copywriter and designer harder, but also the whole process would take more time and probably exceed your budget.
Pros and Cons When Copywriting Comes First
It doesn’t happen that often, but sometimes business owners hire a copywriter before the design is completed. What are the main advantages and disadvantages of this approach?
Pros:
- Copywriters can effectively create websites that convert web visitors into clients. Websites without copy won’t do much except look pretty.
- Copywriters will have the ability to explain the value of your offer and convince the readers it’s worth their money and time.
- Copy is written based on the deep research of your target audience, so it would be easier to align design with messaging later on.
Cons:
- The major downside of hiring a copywriter first is that you may not know what your website layout looks like before it’s too late, which can be unfortunate if you want something specific for your design.
- Copywriter’s main tools are words. They are not used to visually imagine how the website will look like. This will cause the conflict later when you decide to hire a designer.
- If the product description has been finalized before designing web pages, then it would take longer to adjust the design, making designer’s life harder but also the whole process much more expensive for you.
- The web designer will have to work around what’s been written, which is not always easy or efficient.
So, what's the solution? A Web Designer Or A Copywriter First?
Did you know that web designers and copywriters can actually create webpages together? It’s true, you don’t need to hire a web designer or a copywriter first. They can collaborate to come up with websites that are aesthetically pleasing, persuasive, and will bring in the big bucks for your business.
Web designer or a copywriter first is a hard dilemma when you only hire one of them at the time. But it doesn’t have to be this way. If you are looking for design or copy, just find someone who does that job. When you need both designer and copywriter, take the time to research different companies and meet with some of them so they can tell you what they could do for your business.
The main advantages of this approach are:
- Web designer and copywriter would brainstorm ideas together and come up with a creative solution that will work perfectly for your business. Also, they’ll communicate along the road to meet all your requirements and make sure you get your money’s worth!
- Web designers and copywriters work together to create web pages that are both visually pleasing and will persuade your ideal client to buy from you.
- The web designer’s responsibility is making sure websites look good on all browsers, including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, etc., while the copywriter focuses more on search engine optimization (SEO) and creating persuading message so you can get more visitors and convince them to become your clients.
- You won’t have to do much, except pay for their services and give them all needed information. This saves you time, money and energy so you can focus on important aspects of your business.
Check out our services page and find out how we can build your website from scratch in no time!
