What’s the deal with copywriting pricing?

So, you’ve decided to outsource your content to a professional copywriter? We may be somewhat biased, but we think that’s a wonderful idea, so well done you! But now you’ve reached a slight stumbling block… How much should you expect to pay for copywriting services? And what’s all this about paying per word vs paying per hour? 

Don’t worry, we’re here to shed a bit of light on copywriting pricing to help you find the ideal writer to help with your project. So, read on for our insights into copywriting costs and the different types of rates you might spot as you search for a content writing specialist to bring a dash of magic to your website. 

How much does website copywriting cost?

We’re going to level with you from the outset — there is no set price when it comes to hiring a copywriter. This is one of those frustrating questions where the answer is “it depends”... 

But, it really does! There are so many factors that will affect the quote you get from a copywriter, including:

• The level of work needed: Are you looking to spruce up a couple of existing landing pages or create copy for an entire eCommerce site from scratch?
  

• SEO requirements: Do you want your copywriter to conduct keyword research to help optimise your site for search engines? This is an additional skill, so it will usually cost a bit more.
  

• Their experience: As with any role in any industry, the more we copywriters take on, the more we learn and hone our craft. Professional copywriters who have been in the industry for years, have embarked on specific training courses, and developed a strong understanding of what makes engaging writing will tend to charge higher rates than somebody new to the field.
  

• Turnaround time: Just as you’ll need to pay extra postage to get a parcel delivered the next day, faster turnaround times = higher pricing when it comes to copywriting services, too. If you have a tight deadline, a writer may need to rejig or clear, delay work for other clients, and work long days to complete the project. While many writers will be happy to accommodate this, they may add an extra charge.
  

• Additional services: If you want a hand defining your brand’s tone of voice, creating a 12-month blog strategy, or tracking your website’s analytics, bear in mind that these are additional services. 

While they can (and often are) intertwined with content and copywriting, they aren’t technically part of it. With this in mind, a writer may well be very happy to help out but will need to add these services to their overall pricing.

• VAT registration: If the copywriting business you work with is VAT registered, they have a legal obligation to pay 20% VAT, so they will usually add this to their rates. If you are also a VAT-registered business, you can reclaim it! 
  

Should you pay per word, per hour, or per project for copywriting services?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of average copywriting costs, it’s worth looking at the different types of rates you may see when exploring your options. 

We know that the pricing of content and copywriting can seem a little unusual. You may notice copywriters advertising:

• Hourly rates

• Day rates

• Per word rates

• Project rates

So, which is best for you as a business owner? As you may guess, it’s another “it depends” affair…

Remember, there’s a lot that goes into content and copywriting — it’s not just a case of sprinkling some words on a page. A high-quality writer will also cover:

• In-depth research of both your business and the subject matter.
  

• Planning a logical and flowing structure that’s both easy to skim and engaging for the reader.
  

• Getting to know your brand’s tone of voice and ensuring the copy reflects it.
  

• Keyword optimisation, weaving search terms into the copy naturally and effectively.

  
  

• Proofreading and quality-checking.
  

• Edits and amends to make sure you are happy with the final results.
  

Which type of rate is best for you?

Ultimately, every writer will have their preference on how to charge, but you may also find that one format fits your business budget and cash flow more than others. 

Per-word rates

You may, for instance, find that working with a freelance writer who charges a per-word rate allows you to have a clearer prediction of your outgoings at the end of the month. That rate will cover the whole output, from planning to any rounds of included edits. 

As an example, a rate of £0.10 per word translates to £100 for a 1000-word blog. So if you’re commissioning three 1000-word articles, you know that the writer will charge £300.

Hourly rates

An hourly rate, on the other hand, may fluctuate. Let’s say your copywriter charges £40 per hour. One article may take two hours, costing £80, while another of the same word count could take three hours, costing £120. 

Both hourly and per-word rates are great for when you need a writer to take on either ad hoc work or regular blog articles each week or month.

Day rates

You may also find day rates a good option, especially if you’re looking for professional copywriters to help with a complete website rewrite, as opposed to ad hoc or monthly blog articles.

The writer will set aside a day (or however many days agreed) and concentrate on your content for that set number of hours. As an example, a writer may charge a day rate of £380. This will typically cover 7.5 hours of their time. 

Working in bigger batches like this can give you a clearer picture of overall costs when the work required is likely to take a more substantial amount of time. 

Project rates

Similarly, you may have a large project in mind that you want to be completed over a set period. An example could be creating content for a completely new website. You may require 50 landing pages, but the content volume on each one might vary slightly.

Agreeing on an overall project rate of, say, £5000 across 3-4 months, can be a good way to plan your budget. It benefits the writer by securing them a bulk amount of work and funds, even if the exact hours or word count may not be set.

What is the average rate for a copywriter in the UK?

So, with all these different formats, what are the cold, hard figures? There are lots of statistics out there, but the brackets are quite broad. 

In short, if you’re on a tight budget and looking for cheap copywriting services, you may find it best to hire a junior writer. But if you have a clear idea of what you want and are willing to invest a little more, an experienced professional copywriter can bring incredible value to your website.

Top tip: Set clear expectations

Our biggest piece of advice for businesses seeking copywriting services (though this also applies to writers!) is to get written agreements in place. 

At The Content Coven, we’re all about transparency. We like to be clear and upfront about how we work from the very beginning, so we’re fully aligned with our clients. It benefits everyone to have a clear outline of what will — and won’t — be covered within the rates, whether those are per word, hour, day, or project.

It’s easy for some elements to get overlooked, so it’s worth making sure you know:

• Whether your copywriter includes edits within their rate (and if so, how many rounds).
  

• If there is an upper word limit for content (which may apply to project-based work).

• Their payment terms, including how they invoice and when they expect payment. This is especially important if you are hiring a copywriter for a large-scale project. Will they invoice for a portion of the work each month or require the full amount in one go at the end of the specified timeframe?
  

• If they require a deposit. This generally applies to bigger projects, too. Some writers may ask for a deposit to secure their time or to protect themselves from being out of pocket for the duration of the project. 
  

Looking for copywriting services that balance affordable pricing with quality?

It can be tempting to focus solely on price when searching for a copywriter to help you out with your website. But going for cheap copywriting services just because of the price tag isn’t always the way to go! 

The most important thing is to find a writer who can produce engaging, high-quality content that reflects your brand. The best copywriters (in our most humble opinion) are always happy to take the time to understand you, your business, and your goals. And these will be at the heart of every piece of content they write for you. 

At The Content Coven, we feel we provide genuine value for money, and we will always strive to get you the best results possible from every word we craft. Explore our copywriting pricing page for more information on our rates.

So, if you’d like to learn more about how we work and to discuss how we can bring a bit of magic to your website, please feel free to get in touch. Summon the Coven through our online contact form or email hello@thecontentcoven.co.uk. We look forward to working with you!