What Exactly Is a Website Copy Review? (& Do You Need One?)

Copywriter conducting a website copy review for a client

So, you’ve heard about website copy reviews, but… what do they actually include? And, most importantly, are they the right investment for your business right now?

Let’s find out (objectively).

Website copy reviews 101

First of all, a simple definition:

What is a website copy review?

A website copy review (or audit or critique) is an unbiased analysis of the written copy that’s currently on your website, with feedback and actionable suggestions to show you exactly how you can improve it.

Basically, an audit:

  • identifies what’s been holding you back from a website copywriting point of view

  • finds untapped opportunities

  • tells you how to bridge that gap

That way, you can then fix the copy on your own following those points.

What’s included in a website copy review?

This really depends on who you work with.

In most cases, however, a website copy audit looks at things like:

Giada performing a website copy review for a client
  • Is your core message clear and simple to understand?

  • Does the top section of your homepage immediately clarify exactly what you do, who your products/services are for, and how they can benefit them?

  • Does it include all the elements needed to maximise conversions, from pain point agitation to tackling your audience’s most common concerns?

  • Is your tone of voice consistent?

  • Is your copy easy to skim and digest, or does it compromise UX and readability?

  • Have you used your SEO keywords correctly?

  • Does it include a clear and unmissable call to action?

Plus, I usually end up catching many more technical copy mistakes that have secretly been working against my clients.

For example, did you know that using headings just to highlight your text visually is one of the worst things you can do for your SEO? And that you shouldn’t have the exact same clickable text more than once on the same page?

There are all kinds of problems that can be identified during a copy review!

But, at the same time, let’s be clear:

What’s NOT part of a website copy review?

  • An actual rewrite. An audit is about helping you optimise what you already have. So, a website website copywriter will tell you what needs changing and how. Then, you will be the one who puts that into practice. That’s why a copy audit is much cheaper than traditional copywriting services

  • A proofreading service. Most writers will point out obvious grammatical and punctuation mistakes. However, that’s not the point of an audit since… you’ll probably have to rewrite most of that copy anyway!

  • Technical/SEO audit. We’re talking about a website copy review, not a full website audit. Copy audits are carried out by copywriters, so that’s all we deal with: the word side of things (not website speed, Schema markup, and stuff like that). And, once again, a review is about optimising what’s already there. If you haven’t got any keywords at all, you can’t expect a copywriter to create an SEO plan from scratch during an audit. However, if you did optimise your current copy for certain keywords, most writers will let you know how to use them to maximise your chances of ranking higher than your competitors (I sure will!)

So, is a website copy review the best option for my business?

I’ll be honest: no.

If your current website copy hasn’t been bringing you the results you were hoping for, the best option is some brand new copy written from scratch by a professional writer.

However, hiring an expert to review your website copy is indeed the (second) best option for your business if you genuinely can’t afford to invest in new copywriting services just yet.

It’s definitely better than 

  • Hiring the cheapest writer you can find (only to get more directionless copy written without a strategy)

  • Using AI writing tools (ugh, don’t let me get started!)

What are the benefits of a website copy review?

A website copy review for a client

In a nutshell:

  • As they say, “You can’t read the label from inside the jar”. Being so close to your business makes it much harder (and more dangerous) to write about it in a way that actually speaks to your audience, and because you’re not a copywriter, it’s totally normal that you’re not familiar with the best practices to maximise conversions. Instead, an audit is objective and carried out by an expert. No more guesswork!

  • You’ll simplify your message and start speaking to your audience

  • You’ll increase your conversions (=more leads, sales, and money)

  • Your website copy will finally start working instead of feeling like a placeholder 

  • From social media posts to newsletters and more, you’ll find it much easier to talk and write about your business once you put those suggestions into practice

High Flying Design logo

“The audit Giada did for High Flying Design provided me with so much guidance, and honestly, way more confidence to be playful with my writing.”

Shannon Kate Murray

My website copy audit for ambitious female entrepreneurs 🔥

Contents of a website copy review

Now that you know all this, does this one-off investment sound like the best option for you right now?

Then check out my website copy review deal

It starts with a project planner for you to fill in so that I can learn all about your brand, audience, challenges, and goals. I’ll then review the copy of up to 5 of your current website pages (your homepage, since that’s the most important, and 4 more chosen by you).

Within 3 working days from the project’s starting date, you’ll then receive:

  • An in-depth document full of comments, feedback, and actionable suggestions

  • A checklist to help you prioritise them and put them into practice (without feeling overwhelmed)

  • A screenshare video recording going over the main points

  • Optional: a 20-minute consultation to answer your questions (should you have any)

All for a one-off investment of £450.

Growing communities

“Giada's website audit for Growing Communities gave us the expert outsider’s eye that we needed.

Her initial questions ensured that she understood what we want to do, and she came back with valuable insights and helpful tips ranging from small immediate tweaks to advice on how we could approach a more ambitious overhaul.

Highly recommended.”

Richenda Wilson

If the words on your website haven’t been generating many leads and sales, they won’t magically begin to do that “one day”.

It’s clearly time to do something about it. The sooner you book a website copy review, the sooner you can fix all those problems and start seeing the first results.

More #crafty blog posts on this topic:

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