EU Cookie Law Could Make Web Writing Even More Important

 
IT World Canada reported on January 10th 2012 that retailers in the UK were being reminded of the pending implementation of a new EU cookie law which could have damaging effects on their businesses if they’re not prepared. The law, which goes into effect later this year, ostensibly requires websites within EU jurisdiction to obtain user consent before installing cookies on their machines. The law is a big win for proponents of internet privacy, but it could pose big problems for online retailers who rely heavily on cookies for their business.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, cookies are simply small data files downloaded to a user’s computer to keep track of things like website preferences, usernames and passwords, and so on. They’ve been utilised by internet retailers as a means of tracking web use in order to optimise targeted advertising to specific demographics. If large numbers of internet users refuse to give their consent, one of the most efficient tools of web marketing then becomes useless.

That’s where web writing comes in.

As the web writing industry has matured over the last five years, more and more internet marketers are coming to the realisation that good, quality writing is essential if it’s to be of any use. This will become even more important if the EU cookie law puts a big dent in targeted advertising. It would mean that web marketers will have to rely more on content and backlinks to drive web traffic than on targeted ad campaigns. Web marketers without quality writers could easily find their clients suffering when it comes to creating new customers.

Even without the EU cookie law, lots of internet marketing companies are already falling victim to changes in search engine algorithms. As an example, Google’s latest round of changes makes quality and relevant content even more important than ever before. Google is aggressively cracking down on keyword stuffing, paid content, and other practices aimed at boosting search page rankings without offering relevance and quality at the same time. They are so serious in fact, they punished one of their own websites when it was discovered paid content was used.

A Great Opportunity for Writers

For those of us who write web content, we have the opportunity to further establish ourselves by striving to offer exceptional material. Those who put the time and effort into research, good content development, and the proper use of grammar, vocabulary, and syntax will find that our services are in high demand. Writers who do nothing more than slap 500 words into a text document and call it content could be left by the wayside. We’ll have to wait and see how all of this plays out in the months ahead.

Regardless, one of the things clearly demonstrated by the EU cookie law is the reality that the internet is evolving. Whether we’re talking about internet marketing, consumer privacy, or stopping online piracy, the fact remains that internet technology is moving at breakneck speed. As better technology comes to the market it is requiring web-based businesses and their marketing firms to adapt and find a way to optimise what’s coming. It’s no longer enough to simply rest on technologies and methodologies of yesterday.

It’s a great time to be part of the web writing industry. I personally look forward to the challenges ahead; challenges that will undoubtedly keep me on my toes as I strive to be the best writer in the business.