Should I Copywrite First or Design Before Copywriting: A Comprehensive Guide

When embarking on a website development project, designers and developers often face the question: Should I copywrite my web page first or finish with the design before doing it? The answer isn't as straightforward as it might seem, and both approaches have their merits and drawbacks.

Fun Fact: You Can Do It Both Ways!

It doesn’t matter which method you choose as long as you make sure that the final result communicates your message effectively. Some designers prefer a Content-First Design approach, while others opt for a traditional Design-Before-Content methodology.

Content-First Design

This is a genuine approach to website design. Many web design agencies emphasize this method and focus on content creation before moving on to the design and development phases. While it requires additional hours on the timeline, it ensures that the content is solid from start to finish. The process usually involves creating a draft of the content messaging and refining it before starting the actual design.

Design-Before Content

This is a more traditional approach. In this scenario, the design elements, such as wireframes and UI prototypes, are created before the content is added. The content is added later, but this doesn't pose a problem as it simply extends the timeline slightly. The design is already in place, providing a clear context for the content.

The Importance of Content Over Design

While design is crucial, it should support content. Content is the message that you want to communicate to your audience. Without effective content, a beautiful design won’t accomplish much. Therefore, it's essential to prioritize content over design.
“Don't believe me? Go to any company’s site in a language you don't know. Now tell me what they do, how you buy their products or services, or why you should buy from this company instead of a competitor.”

Even on this platform (Quora), if you change your language to Norwegian (assuming you don’t know Norwegian), ask yourself how well you navigate and complete tasks. Words are the primary medium of communication for web sites.

Caveats and Considerations

Your question presents this as an either-or choice, but it’s not that black and white. With some design experience, you can start thinking about both content and design simultaneously. However, there are key elements that should be in place before you start designing:

High-Level Breakdown

Taking everything you need to communicate on your site and breaking it down into big chunks is crucial. Don't jump straight into organizing pages based on familiarity, like Home About Us, History, Mission, and Contact Us. Instead, think from the perspective of a customer or potential customer and ask yourself what they need to know and in what order.

Drafts

Having a clear idea of what each chunk of content is supposed to convey is important. Writing a draft can help you get a clearer understanding of its purpose. This also ensures that you have a solid foundation to build upon as you start the design process.

Navigation Labels

Navigation labels should be carefully considered. Instead of designing the navigation bar and then squeezing words into it, label your content and then design the navigation to support these labels. Use as many words as necessary to make it clear to visitors what they will find when they click the links.

Action Button and Field Labels

For action buttons and field labels, start with the message you want to convey in the button or field. Design should support this message, not the other way around. For instance, instead of designing a button in Photoshop and then narrowing down the text to fit, start with the text and then design the button around it.

Conclusion

Choosing between content-first or design-before-content depends on your priorities and the nature of your project. However, it's crucial to ensure that your site communicates effectively. Effective content is the foundation of any successful web design, and it's important to plan for it carefully.

By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure that your website is not only visually appealing but also informative and user-friendly. Prioritize content and use design to support it, and you'll create a website that resonates with your audience and achieves its intended goals.

Does one approach work best for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!