Help with website copy?

[Heather in WI]

My husband and I started a small construction company a few years ago. We are hanging in there, bad economy and all, but have decided to move forward with developing a website. We are paying a company to set it up for us, but we have to come up with the copy, and are finding that we are not good with this sort of thing at all! Does anyone have experience with this sort of thing that would be willing to help? (Or is just better at this kind of writing??) We have a sketch of what we'd like to say on our front page, but it just doesn't sound .... professional, I guess would be the best way to put it.

 

This is what we have so far:

 

[Our company], LLC, is a custom carpentry business. As a small family owned company, we are able to give our customers the focused attention they deserve when they embark on a home remodeling project. Our owner, [owner’s name] is a trained journeyman carpenter who takes a hands-on approach to every project. With [owner’s first name] working in the field with our crew, quality and customer satisfaction are always at the highest level.

 

Our company was founded on the principles of trust, quality, and affordability.

 

o Trust: The trust process starts when we first discuss a project with a potential client. We believe that providing customers with a clear detailed proposal, always being on time, and following through on everything we say is the best way to earn trust.

 

o Quality: Our craftsmanship is evident in every completed project we do. It is our belief that great craftsmanship has its roots in planning, job site order, and a clear vision of the end result. From start to finish, we keep our clients informed on the day to day operations, so that not only does the remodeling project run smooth for us, but it also lets customers and their families prepare for certain phases that might affect daily routines. You will also notice immediately that we treat each home with respect. Although a remodeling project will always cause a disturbance in a home, we make it our priority to maintain a clean and safe jobsite.

 

o Affordability: At the first meeting with our owner ([owner’s name]), [owner’s first name] asks potential clients for an envisioned budget for their project. This helps [owner’s first name] work with clients to determine appropriate materials and scope of job. [owner’s first name] then provides an extremely detailed, written proposal for each client. We are proud to say that our proposals are so accurate that change orders and price additions are a rarity.

 

Whether it is a kitchen, bathroom, attic, basement or other kind of remodel, we are confident that you will not find a company better than [Our company], LLC for your remodeling project.

 

 

:confused:

 

Help, please.

[Aubrey]

[Our company], LLC, is a custom carpentry business. As a small family owned company, we are able to give our customers the focused attention they deserve when they embark on a home remodeling project. Our owner, [owner’s name], is a trained journeyman carpenter who takes a hands-on approach to every project. With [owner’s first name] working in the field with our crew, quality and customer satisfaction are always at the highest level.

 

 

Our company was founded on the principles of trust, quality, and affordability.

 

 

 

o Trust: Trust begins with the first consultation. We want to earn your trust with clear, detailed proposals, on-time projects, and a commitment to promises. Every time.

 

 

 

o Quality: Craftsmanship is evident in every project. We ensure this standard of quality through planning, job site order, and a clear vision of the end result. From start to finish, we keep you informed of day-to-day operations. Your remodeling project will run smoothly, and when daily routines will be interrupted, you will know up front. We treat each home and each family with respect. We know that a remodeling project is a disturbance to a family's habitat, and we make it our priority to minimize that disturbance by maintaining a clean and safe jobsite.

 

 

 

o Affordability: At the first meeting with our owner, ([owner’s name]), [owner’s first name] will ask about your budget, to determine appropriate materials and the scope of the job. [owner’s first name] then provides an extremely detailed, written proposal for each client. We are proud to say that our proposals are so accurate that change orders and price additions are rare.

 

 

 

Whether it is a kitchen, bathroom, attic, basement, or other kind of remodel, we are confident that you will not find a better company to work with. Choose [Our company], LLC for your remodeling project, and choose peace of mind.

 

Edited February 5, 2010 by Aubrey

[Heather in WI]

Thank you very much, Aubrey! That sounds so much better!

Edited February 5, 2010 by Heather in WI

[Aubrey]

Thank you very much, Aubrey! That sounds so much better!

 

Well, I hope it helps. It sounded fine to me the first time, but I tried to bring out your voice a little more. It's so authentic, that in itself should be a good selling point.

[Tutor]

(Keep in mind that I know *nothing* about carpentry or remodeling...:001_smile:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to [Our Company], LLC.

 

[Our Company], LLC is a small, family-owned company specializing in custom carpentry and home remodels of all sizes. [Owner’s Name], owner of [Our Company], LLC, founded the company with three principles in mind: Quality, Trust, and Affordability.

 

Quality: [Owner’s Name] is a trained journeyman carpenter and knows that his customers are just as interested in quality craftsmanship as he is. To ensure the integrity of the job, your home, [Owner’s Name] oversees each job personally and maintains open communication with each client to ensure that each step of your project, from site maintenance to the finished remodel, meets his and your high quality standards.

 

Trust: From the initial, detailed proposal to the finished project, [Our Company], LLC works to gain and maintain our clients’ trust. Our crews arrive on time, maintain a professional demeanor, treat your home with respect, and communicate any changes or possible interruptions to your daily routine in a thoughtful and timely manner.

 

Affordability: [Owner’s Name] works closely with each potential client to develop a budget to fit your project (or even assist you with adapting your project to fit your budget). We provide detailed, accurate proposals and will maintain ongoing communication with you about project/ market changes that may affect your budget, making price additions a rarity.

[eternalknot]

One thing to consider, too -

 

the ideal copy for a website isn't necessarily the same as it might be for print. Have you ever chanced upon a business website and the writing seemed more clunky, and just poorer form in general? Depending on the purpose of your website, it might be worth writing the website copy to generate more search engine hits. It would mean a much less pretty content, but you might design your copy such as that someone who types in "affordable construction YourCity" or "quality remodeling YourCity" will be more likely to chance upon your website. That is, if the purpose of your website is to generate more notice and business.

 

If your website is primarily for existing customers, this wouldn't necessarily be worthwhile and you could definitely benefit from the talent of the posters above me :)

[Heather in WI]

Thanks, Tutor. :-)

 

Depending on the purpose of your website, it might be worth writing the website copy to generate more search engine hits. It would mean a much less pretty content, but you might design your copy such as that someone who types in "affordable construction YourCity" or "quality remodeling YourCity" will be more likely to chance upon your website. That is, if the purpose of your website is to generate more notice and business.

 

 

That's a great point. The purpose it to advertise our company & generate new business.