Writing for the Web
Writing for the web is an important skill to master if you want to write content for your website that will give your visitors the information they want and keep them from instantly clicking off your site.
Writing for the Web – How to Write Articles for the Web
Writing for the web is very different than the writing you would use when writing a book or some other print article. Knowing the difference between writing for the web and writing for print can mean the difference between someone staying on your website and clicking off your site.
Writing for the Web – Less Means More
You may not have even noticed, but reading from your monitor is about 25% slower than reading from a book. So in order to keep your visitor from leaving your page, you shouldn’t bombard them with a lot to read. Keep your text short and concise. Give the reader useful information, but try to do it in half the words you would usually use in print.
Writing for the Web – Allow for Scannability
Since reading online is slower, visitors tend to scan the text rather than reading word-for-word. Break down your text by:
- Use short headings.
- Write short paragraphs.
- Use lists whenever possible.
- Use bold text sparingly.
- Keep the caps lock off.
Headings
Make use of headings and subheadings to organize your page and help readers to quickly find the information they want. Use keywords in your headings and subheadings. Keep the headings and subheadings short by using a maximum of 4-8 words.
Paragraphs
Most readers read only the first line or two, so keep your paragraphs short and get to the point immediately. Limit one idea to a paragraph.
Shorter paragraphs are easier to scan, so try to keep your paragraphs to five or fewer lines, but vary the lengths of paragraphs when possible to make the page more interesting to the reader.
Lists
Lists give the most information in the shortest and most concise means possible and draw the eye of the reader.
A few rules for lists include:
- Use bullet points when the order of the list doesn’t matter.
- Use numbered lists when the order of the list does matter.
- Keep lists short. Don’t have too many items in a list.
- Don’t have too many levels in your list, use only one or two.
Bold Text
Bold text is a great tool to draw a reader’s attention to a particular word or idea. However, bold text should be used sparingly and as a tool to draw a reader down the page. Bold should be used as an emphasis and then only sparingly. If you bold an entire line or section of text, it loses that emphasis.
Writing for the web is different from writing for print, but if you follow these tips, you’ll be writing content for the web that is not only informative, but easy to read as well.
If you would like more information about how to write an article for the web, be sure to click this link to read our other articles on writing for the web.
Writing for the web is a rewarding challenge.
Filed Under: Writing Articles
