The issue of copy and content often gets pushed to the side in the realm of web design. In today's age, some weight is put on blogging (for the sake of search engine optimization), but still, copy writing and even the actual content going onto your future website is a mere afterthought. Poetic Systems does not find it uncommon to struggle with clients, dragging out completion of websites and launch dates because of a lack of content.

Considering copy last could be viewed as natural, but we would like to stretch your perspective a bit. Think about order of necessity. What really matters most when someone visits your website? As the experts, we'd like to give you this brief outline:

1. Functionality
2. Content
3. Design

We find ourselves nitpicking back and forth with out clients about the design of a website, but when it comes time to fill 'er up, it's oftentimes hard to get people excited.

Website Functionality

Functionality gets the number one spot because: if your website doesn't work, visitors won't stay. We can honestly say that if it doesn't serve a purpose, it shouldn't be on the web. There is nothing more unappealing to us than clicking on a button and getting an error message or a blank page. Lucky for you, creating a functional, efficient, useful interface is our specialty and responsibility. While your input and ideas are essential, we hope to alleviate some stress in this arena.

Website Content

Content is number two on our list, but should be number one on yours. Whether we produce it or you do, content via copy and blogs is what gets search engines going and what informs your clients. An empty website is just as useless as no website at all. At the same time, a website full of useless content is much more unpleasant than no website at all. This is why we ask you to reflect on the issue of content. Whether your professional copy writer is in-house or through us, make sure your content is useful AND optimized.

Design in the Website - Not Website Design

We love website design. We wouldn't be here if we didn't. Why, then, is Design last on the list? Because web design encompasses it all, while the design in a website is aesthetics. The look and feel. While there are exceptions (for artists of sorts especially), what a website looks like is the last thing that will matter to your clients, who should matter most to you. We also love creating graphically appealing art and love to stretch our limits for you, a pretty, uninformative page will do much less than a pretty, informative page.

To sum, don't give up on content. It is just as important if not more so than the other aspects of your website. Great copy can be moving, easier on the eyes, and useful in more ways than one.