Why Content Is the Hardest Part of Building a Website (And How to Tackle It)

If you’ve ever worked on a website project — or tried building one for yourself — you probably know this already: writing the content is the hardest part.

Design? Fun. Layout? Exciting. Playing with colors and choosing fonts? Creative. But when it comes time to sit down and actually write what your site should say… things get real quiet, real fast.

And here’s the kicker: no matter how good your design is, your content is what actually sells.

The “We’ll Add the Content Later” Trap

This is one of the most common phrases in web projects: “Let’s just get the design done, we’ll add the content later.”

It sounds harmless, but it often derails projects or delays launches. Why? Because the content drives everything — the structure of the page, the user journey, the calls-to-action, and even the design itself. Without solid content, you’re designing a house without knowing what kind of furniture’s going in it.

I’ve seen it over and over: beautiful mockups that look empty or awkward once the real copy is dropped in. That’s why a content-first approach can save time, money, and sanity.

Why Content Is So Difficult

Writing content for your website isn’t like writing an email or social media post. It requires clarity, structure, and intent. You need to balance tone, SEO, value propositions, and user flow — all while staying on brand.

For most business owners, it’s tough to zoom out and articulate what you do and why it matters, in a way that makes sense to someone who doesn’t already know your business.

Plus, there’s a lot of pressure. Your website is often the first impression a potential customer has of you. No wonder it feels like such a high-stakes task.

What Good Website Content Looks Like

Good content does more than just fill space. It should:

• Speak directly to your audience’s needs or problems
• Show what makes you different (your “edge” or unique value)
• Guide users toward a goal (like contacting you or buying something)
• Use clear, natural language — no jargon or fluff
• Reflect your brand voice, whether it’s casual, professional, playful, etc.

And let’s not forget calls-to-action (CTAs) — a simple “Let’s Talk” or “Get a Free Quote” can make or break your conversion rates.

Start with Structure, Not Sentences

If you’re stuck staring at a blank page, start by outlining the structure of each page instead of trying to write full paragraphs.

Example for a Homepage:

• Headline: What do you offer, and who is it for?
• Subheading: Brief supporting info or tagline
• Services snapshot: 3-4 key things you do
• About section: Quick intro to you/your biz
• Testimonials or social proof
• Call-to-action: Invite them to take the next step

Once you’ve got the structure down, filling it in becomes way less intimidating.

Should You Write It Yourself?

If you’re a strong writer and know your business inside out, sure — write your own copy. But be realistic about your time and bandwidth. Hiring a professional copywriter can save you a ton of stress, especially if you’re trying to juggle everything else involved in launching a site.

I often tell clients: if your budget doesn’t stretch to a full copywriting package, consider at least getting help with your homepage, service pages, and CTAs. These are your money pages.

Content Is Never “Done”

Here’s the truth: your website content will change. You’ll tweak it, revise it, update it as your business evolves — and that’s okay. The key is to start with content that’s good enough to launch, and then iterate from there.

Don’t let “perfect” be the enemy of “published.”

Your website is your digital storefront, and content is the sales pitch happening while you sleep. If your words don’t connect with people, even the slickest design won’t save you.

If you need help figuring out what your site should say — or you just want someone to translate your business into plain, effective copy — I’ve got you. Reach out and we’ll make it happen.