Let’s be honest, writing web copy isn’t just about sounding clever or stuffing a bunch of buzzwords into a paragraph. It’s about guiding visitors from “Hmm, interesting…” to “Take my money!” The words on your site are working 24/7, whether you’re paying attention to them or not. That means every bland headline, confusing sentence, or vague call-to-action could be quietly costing you leads, sales, and maybe even your credibility.
The good news? Most mistakes are avoidable—if you know what to look for. In this post, we’ll break down five of the most common (and cringe-worthy) web copy fails we see businesses make. Fix these, and you’re already miles ahead of most of your competitors.
Because if you’ve ever wondered why your website isn’t converting, it might just be your copy whispering, “meh” when it should be screaming, “YES, THIS IS IT!”
Think your copy could be doing more heavy lifting? Book your consultation with Tulsa Marketing Experts today—we’ll help your words start working smarter.
Mistake #1: Writing for Yourself, Not Your Audience
Now that we’ve called out the power (and danger) of your web copy, let’s dive into the first and most common sin: thinking your site is about you. Hate to break it to you, but no one visits your website to read your origin story from high school. They’re there to solve a problem—and fast.
One of the biggest mistakes in writing web copy is focusing on features instead of benefits. You might be proud of your “state-of-the-art platform with end-to-end solutions,” but your audience just wants to know, “Will this help me do XYZ faster, easier, or better?”
The fix? Step out of your own head and into your customer’s. Use tools like surveys, chat transcripts, reviews, or buyer personas to understand how your audience talks, what they value, and what objections they have. Then, reflect that back in your copy.
This is what audience-first copywriting is all about—crafting messaging that speaks directly to your ideal customer’s needs, pain points, and language. You’re not just writing; you’re translating your offer into their terms.
Want to know what your audience actually wants to hear? Book your consultation with Tulsa Marketing Experts and let’s translate your message into clicks.
Mistake #2: Weak or Missing Calls to Action
Once you’ve nailed what your audience cares about, don’t leave them hanging. The next big misstep in writing web copy? Failing to tell visitors what to do next—or worse, telling them in the most boring, forgettable way possible.
We’ve all seen it: “Click here,” “Learn more,” or our personal favorite—nothing at all. These half-hearted nudges are the copy equivalent of shrugging and walking away mid-sale.
Instead, aim for conversion-driven CTAs that guide readers with clarity and purpose. “Book your free strategy session,” “Get your custom quote,” or “Download the checklist to start saving today” are all examples of action-oriented, benefit-driven CTAs that actually convert.
Your CTAs should make it feel obvious and easy for the visitor to take the next step—and make it sound like they’d be crazy not to.
If your CTAs are more “meh” than magnetic, we can fix that. Book your consultation with Tulsa Marketing Experts and let’s sharpen those calls to action.
Mistake #3: Overloading with Jargon or Fluff
Now that we’ve got readers taking action, let’s make sure they understand what they’re acting on. Because here’s the brutal truth: if your message reads like a legal contract or corporate mission statement, your visitors won’t stick around to decode it.
When it comes to writing web copy, clarity always trumps cleverness. Overloading your site with buzzwords like “synergize,” “paradigm shift,” or “game-changing frameworks” doesn’t make you sound smart—it makes people click away faster than you can say “optimize.”
The goal? Clear marketing copy that speaks directly to your audience. It should explain what you do, why it matters, and why someone should care—in language that doesn’t require a thesaurus.
Here’s what we mean:
- ❌ “We provide scalable, future-proof digital solutions for enterprise environments.”
- ✅ “We help growing businesses get more leads online—without the tech headache.”
Which one would you actually read?
Think your site might be suffering from a little buzzword overload? Let’s clean it up together. Book your consultation and we’ll help you simplify your message into copy that connects.
Mistake #4: Ignoring SEO While Writing
Once your copy is clear and jargon-free, it’s time to make sure people can actually find it. Because what good is a beautifully written site if it’s buried on page five of Google?
Here’s the thing—writing web copy that connects with humans is essential, but so is making sure search engines can read and rank it. The sweet spot? Balancing readability with smart keyword strategy.
This is where SEO copywriting best practices come into play. That means crafting content around the right keywords without stuffing them in like you’re trying to win a bad game of Scrabble. It also means paying attention to headline structure, internal linking, image alt text, and yes—those all-important meta descriptions.
Tools like SurferSEO and Yoast make this easier, giving you real-time feedback on your content’s optimization. But don’t let the robots take over completely. Write for real people first. Then make sure Google gets the memo too.
Want your content to show up and stand out? Book your consultation and let’s make your web copy both findable and irresistible.
Mistake #5: Not Testing or Updating Your Copy
Just because your copy worked once doesn’t mean it’ll work forever. Algorithms evolve, customer preferences shift, and your offers change—so why is your website still saying “Now booking for 2022”?
Here’s the deal: failing to update your web content regularly is like leaving a “Grand Opening” sign up five years after launch. It’s confusing, and it quietly kills your credibility and conversions.
Website copy optimization isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. A/B testing your headlines, tweaking CTAs, and swapping in up-to-date stats or testimonials can drastically improve results. Even small changes—like rewording a benefit or updating a call to action—can move the needle in a big way.
Think of your site like a storefront window. If it’s dusty and dated, no one’s stopping to browse. But if it’s fresh, relevant, and inviting? That’s when people step in—and stay.
Need help turning stale way of writing web copy into a high-converting machine? Book your consultation today and let’s refresh your message for real results.
Conclusion: Make Your Words Work Harder
Let’s be honest, writing web copy doesn’t need to win a Pulitzer. It just needs to connect, convert, and clearly guide visitors to action. Whether you’re accidentally speaking in corporate riddles or forgot to include a single CTA on your homepage , the good news is: it’s all fixable.
A quick site audit can reveal where your copy’s working… and where it’s sleeping on the job. The five mistakes we just walked through are common, but that doesn’t mean you have to let them live rent-free on your website.
And here’s the kicker—if you’re tired of guessing what to fix or rewrite, we’re here to help. At Tulsa Marketing Experts, we specialize in turning weak, confusing content into messaging that clicks with your audience and search engines.
Ready for words that actually convert? Book your consultation with Tulsa Marketing Experts today.