Breadcrumbs
Writing for the Web
10 Tips for Good Web Writing
If you follow this advice, people will read your Web pages
By Jennifer Kyrnin, About.com Guide
- Write relevant content
It may be tempting to write about your brother's dog, but if it doesn't relate to your site or page topic, leave it out. Web readers want information, and unless the page is information about said dog, they really won't care, even if it is a good metaphor for what you're trying to say. - Put conclusions at the beginning
Think of an inverted pyramid when you write. Get to the point in the first paragraph, then expand upon it. - Write only one idea per paragraph
Web pages need to be concise and to-the-point. People don't read Web pages, they scan them, so having short, meaty paragraphs is better than long rambling ones. - Use action words
Tell your readers what to do. Avoid the passive voice. Keep the flow of your pages moving.Format
- Use lists instead of paragraphs
Lists are easier to scan than paragraphs, especially if you keep them short. - Limit list items to 7 words
Studies have shown that people can only reliably remember 7-10 things at a time. By keeping your list items short, it helps your readers remember them. - Write short sentences
Sentences should be as concise as you can make them. Use only the words you need to get the essential information across. - Include internal sub-headings
Sub-headings make the text more scannable. Your readers will move to the section of the document that is most useful for them, and internal cues make it easier for them to do this. - Make your links part of the copy
Links are another way Web readers scan pages. They stand out from normal text, and provide more cues as to what the page is about.Always Always Always
- Proofread your work
Typos and spelling errors will send people away from your pages. Make sure you proofread everything you post to the Web.
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L. Boyd Writing Advisor
“ . . you listened to what I wanted my Web site to accomplish, offered suggestions to improve upon my ideas, and then allowed me to decide for myself.”
Baxter Printing, Inc.
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Photography by Derrick
“ . . Designs by Renee's affordable web design allowed me to create a new market for my company and opened possibilities for me to grow my business .. ”
L. Boyd Writing Advisor
“ . . you listened to what I wanted my Web site to accomplish, offered suggestions to improve upon my ideas, and then allowed me to decide for myself.”
Baxter Printing, Inc.
“ . . she had the ability to "tune-in" to our needs. In the end, our final product was satisfying to all parties .. ”
Bridget L. Trent Ministry
“ . . highly talented in website design in that you take the time to individualize sites for your clients that reflect their needs. You are highly professional, patient, able, and have a creative capacity to run immediately with a client's vision .. ”
Photography by Derrick
“ . . Designs by Renee's affordable web design allowed me to create a new market for my company and opened possibilities for me to grow my business .. ”
L. Boyd Writing Advisor
“ . . you listened to what I wanted my Web site to accomplish, offered suggestions to improve upon my ideas, and then allowed me to decide for myself.”
Baxter Printing, Inc.
“ . . she had the ability to "tune-in" to our needs. In the end, our final product was satisfying to all parties .. ”
Bridget L. Trent Ministry
“ . . highly talented in website design in that you take the time to individualize sites for your clients that reflect their needs. You are highly professional, patient, able, and have a creative capacity to run immediately with a client's vision .. ”
Photography by Derrick
“ . . Designs by Renee's affordable web design allowed me to create a new market for my company and opened possibilities for me to grow my business .. ”
L. Boyd Writing Advisor
“ . . you listened to what I wanted my Web site to accomplish, offered suggestions to improve upon my ideas, and then allowed me to decide for myself.”
Baxter Printing, Inc.
“ . . she had the ability to "tune-in" to our needs. In the end, our final product was satisfying to all parties .. ”
Bridget L. Trent Ministry
“ . . highly talented in website design in that you take the time to individualize sites for your clients that reflect their needs. You are highly professional, patient, able, and have a creative capacity to run immediately with a client's vision .. ”
Photography by Derrick
“ . . Designs by Renee's affordable web design allowed me to create a new market for my company and opened possibilities for me to grow my business .. ”
L. Boyd Writing Advisor
“ . . you listened to what I wanted my Web site to accomplish, offered suggestions to improve upon my ideas, and then allowed me to decide for myself.”
Baxter Printing, Inc.
“ . . she had the ability to "tune-in" to our needs. In the end, our final product was satisfying to all parties .. ”
Bridget L. Trent Ministry
“ . . highly talented in website design in that you take the time to individualize sites for your clients that reflect their needs. You are highly professional, patient, able, and have a creative capacity to run immediately with a client's vision .. ”
Photography by Derrick
“ . . Designs by Renee's affordable web design allowed me to create a new market for my company and opened possibilities for me to grow my business .. ”
L. Boyd Writing Advisor
“ . . you listened to what I wanted my Web site to accomplish, offered suggestions to improve upon my ideas, and then allowed me to decide for myself.”
Baxter Printing, Inc.
“ . . she had the ability to "tune-in" to our needs. In the end, our final product was satisfying to all parties .. ”
Bridget L. Trent Ministry
“ . . highly talented in website design in that you take the time to individualize sites for your clients that reflect their needs. You are highly professional, patient, able, and have a creative capacity to run immediately with a client's vision .. ”
Photography by Derrick
“ . . Designs by Renee's affordable web design allowed me to create a new market for my company and opened possibilities for me to grow my business .. ”
L. Boyd Writing Advisor
“ . . you listened to what I wanted my Web site to accomplish, offered suggestions to improve upon my ideas, and then allowed me to decide for myself.”
Baxter Printing, Inc.
“ . . she had the ability to "tune-in" to our needs. In the end, our final product was satisfying to all parties .. ”
Bridget L. Trent Ministry
“ . . highly talented in website design in that you take the time to individualize sites for your clients that reflect their needs. You are highly professional, patient, able, and have a creative capacity to run immediately with a client's vision .. ”
Photography by Derrick
“ . . Designs by Renee's affordable web design allowed me to create a new market for my company and opened possibilities for me to grow my business .. ”
L. Boyd Writing Advisor
“ . . you listened to what I wanted my Web site to accomplish, offered suggestions to improve upon my ideas, and then allowed me to decide for myself.”
Baxter Printing, Inc.
“ . . she had the ability to "tune-in" to our needs. In the end, our final product was satisfying to all parties .. ”
Bridget L. Trent Ministry
“ . . highly talented in website design in that you take the time to individualize sites for your clients that reflect their needs. You are highly professional, patient, able, and have a creative capacity to run immediately with a client's vision .. ”
Photography by Derrick
“ . . Designs by Renee's affordable web design allowed me to create a new market for my company and opened possibilities for me to grow my business .. ”