Web content is content that will entertain your readers, or keep them informed. Websites full of Web content will usually have articles, but may also contain videos, audio files and photos as well. Web content often is what an online business uses to attract visitors to the site, even if indirectly.

Web copy - Web copy generally refers to text on a website that is either trying to get a response out of the reader or visitor, or that works to forward the company's message in some way. Copy may be used to make sales, to seek out something, such as a newsletter, or to click links. Web copy includes the slogan used on the site, as well as pages just for contact information, company information, etc.

How does all this Web copy and Web content actually make you money? Here's how it works:

Web content- There are lots of sites out there that depend on content to produce their revenue. Large content sites, such as About.com, which is owned by the NYT Corp., use content to bring readers, but many small sites do as well. The Web content is there to bring readers in, but the webmaster has to put advertisements on the site or to charge a fee for membership to the site in order to make money. There are a few items to remember in order to make money with Web content:

1. Only publish high quality Web content. High quality Web content is a natural draw for readers, is often well-optimized for the Web without much extra SEO effort, and also naturally attracts quality backlinks to your website (therefore helping to increase search engine rankings, and its resulting traffic, which is then monetized).

2. Keep your website fresh with new Web content. To keep readers coming back again, keep the site updated regularly with new content- as readers come back again, your traffic counts go up and you make more money from that content. Make your content updates as often as possible, even if it is only once a week or once a month.

3. Make sure your copy will be attracting readers. Keyword research through either Wordtracker or Overture can give you an idea about what to use. High-quality Web content doesn't have to be keyword stuffed to bring in readers- it should be content that appeals to readers. A lot of searches for one specific topic can mean that there is an existing need for more information on that topic. Don't forget to compare highly searched keyword phrases with the number of results for that same keyword phrase in search engines to determine market saturation.

Web Copy - Copywriting for the Web is usually designed with the sole purpose of turning website visitors into buyers, repeat visitors, subscribers, or whatever your aim is. Most people have seen the sales letters used to advertise e-books, with their bright colors, many subheadings, multiple order links and testimonials.

The Web copy used to sell an item doesn't have to be that flashy. All order pages have copy that is meant to persuade and to get an immediate purchase of the items, and perhaps even more items as well. Guarantees are often used on Web copy to get the reader to buy the item without thinking about it too much.

Copywriting is a blend of words and psychology to get the desired outcome from the site's visitors. Professional copywriting comes from professional copywriters- you can hire a copywriter or you can learn the craft yourself, but either way, you need that copy to make sales and to make money.