Should you hire a copywriter for your website?
I’ll say it.
Not everyone needs to hire a copywriter for their website.
Claude and ChatGPT can give you pretty sick results.
But there are times when AI isn’t gonna cut it.
Like when you need something more strategic, more you, and more effective at converting visitors into clients.
What does a copywriter even do?
We don’t just make your About page sound cute.
A good website copywriter helps you:
Show up on Google (and ChatGPT)
Turn lurkers into leads
Say what you actually mean in a way that clicks with your dream clients
Feel proud when you send someone your website link
We do this through voice-of-customer research, SEO strategy, copy psychology, and persuasive writing that doesn’t feel like a scammy sales page from 2011.
Also, if you're curious what SEO even has to do with your website's words, I break it down right here.
How much does a website copywriter cost?
It varies. I know — annoying answer.
But most pro copywriters charge between $1,500 and $5,000+ for a full website.
It depends on experience, strategy, SEO, the number of pages, and how booked out they are.
What’s the difference between website copywriting and content writing?
Copywriting = meant to convert. Think: homepage, services page, about page. It's the “hire me” part of your site.
Content writing = meant to educate, nurture, or entertain. Think: blog posts, newsletters, social captions.
Here’s a blog that explains it in more detail.
When should you hire a website copywriter?
You’re rebranding: If your business has evolved but your website still screams 2021… it’s time.
You hate writing: You’ve spent 4 hours rewriting your homepage and somehow it still sounds like an email from your dentist.
You’re not getting leads or sales: People are visiting your site… and leaving. That’s not a design issue, that’s a messaging issue.
You’re not getting traffic: If Google doesn’t know what your website is about, neither do your dream clients. You need better SEO.
People have called you out on your ChatGPT copy: Embaaaaarassing.
How do I choose the right copywriter for me?
1. Know your goals
Do you want more leads? Higher search rankings? A more aligned tone of voice? All of the above?
Be honest with yourself — and clear with your copywriter.
2. Know the specialties
Some copywriters specialize in voice. Others are all about sales psychology. I focus on SEO-driven storytelling, meaning your website gets found and sounds like you.
So if your brain is in a constant loop of:
“I should post something this week,”
(doesn’t post)
“I’ll just do it tomorrow,”
(still doesn’t post)
“No one’s hiring me anyway,”
(downloads 3 new freebies on ‘how to get clients’ you’ll never read)Then it’s probably time to hire someone who can get your website in front of the right people without relying on daily content creation.
3. Check their process
Do they just ask you to “fill out a form and wait”?
Or do they have a clear strategy that includes SEO, audience research, and your actual goals?
For example, here’s what it would look like to hire me as your copywriter:
Step 1: You read my service page.
Step 2: You like my vibe, price, and proof, so you fill out this form.
Step 3: You check your email because I just sent you a link to book a chitty-chat AND a standard proposal (in case you don’t wanna hop on a call; in which case… we skip to Step 6).
Step 4: We have said chitty-chat via Google Meet where you can ask me questions and listen to my pug snore (read this first, though).
Step 5: You check your email for a custom proposal, sign the contract, and pay the initial invoice (option to pay in full, half, or 1/3 of the full price).
After the contract is signed, here’s how it goes:
Step 6: Check for your Welcome Email where you can reread literally what you’re reading right now, give me login access, and fill out Your Business Book (a Google Doc that gives you a chance to rethink your offers, your voice, and your ideal client)
Step 7: I set up your Google Search Console & Google Analytics
Step 8: I do competition research so I can steal keywords and figure out how to make your offer sound better.
Step 9: I finish up my SEO keyword research and decide which pages will rank for what based on how many clicks we can get you each month.
Step 10: I take a week or so (depending on which copywriting service you hire me for) to do a rough draft. Then, I send it to you for feedback.
Step 11: I do some copy edits and potentially collab with your designer to make sure the SEO metadata is correct and get the copy 👐 LIVE👐 on your website (copywriters typically do not put the copy on your website)
Once the website copy is done, I obsessively check your Google Analytics until I see you start ranking, which is when I immediately email you so we can freak out together.
(I’ll send you another SEO Audit 3-6 months later).
4. Read their writing
Not just their client work. I mean their
Blogs
Emails
Social posts
If their website makes you laugh, feel seen, or low-key tear up? That’s a good sign.
If it reads like a LinkedIn resume from 2013, you betta run, son.
Pro tip: if they rank for terms like “SEO website copywriter” or their blog actually shows up on Google, that’s a very good sign.
5. Make sure they get your industry
A great copywriter can adapt to almost any niche, but if they’ve never worked with your type of business before (coaches, creatives, wedding pros, etc.), they might miss the little things.
(like how booking season actually works or how your leads talk on TikTok vs your intake form)
I’ve written for everyone from doulas and designers to BREATH coaches, virtual assistants, and wedding planners. So if your business is a little unconventional, don’t worry, mine is too.
So… should you hire a copywriter?
You don’t have to hire a copywriter. You could DIY it. You could use AI.
But if you want words that:
Speak directly to your people
Convert casual clicks into actual clients
Sound like you on your best day (with a little less overthinking)
…I know a girl.
