Five Tips for Writing Web Pages

Writing content for Web sites is a process that employs different rules than traditional hard copy content. Readers approach Web content differently. Of course, they also physically look at the content differently. All of this means the writer has to take a different approach to his or her writing when it comes to the Web.

Readers often approach Web content searching for something specific. This is where the approach to Web content differs from a hard copy approach. A reader will often peruse a newspaper or periodical hoping to come leisurely across an article of interest. They may relax on the couch flipping through pages and “whatever comes what may” is their attitude.

However, when they make a conscious decision to sit at their personal computer they are typically on a mission. They are information gathering and fact-finding with purpose. You need to be cognizant of their approach when you create your content. Your readers will want easy-to-read and easy-to-scan information. They will want it in front of their eyes immediately when they land on a Web page.

When you write for the Web, you also have to take into account the physical act of reading content on a computer monitor. This is a different experience from reading from a newspaper, book, or magazine. You must account for this in your writing. This will ensure that pleasant reading experience that is vital to promotional communication.

The difference in Web writing is not in the content per se. What you want to convey online may be the exact same thing you want to convey in your hard copy content. You are just going to present your content differently to conform to the online aesthetic. The following are five tips for writing for Web pages. They also apply to article writing for your article marketing efforts.

Make Use of Headlines

Headlines draw attention to themselves and hence the content they trumpet. A headline says, “Hey, look here, there’s important information here.” A headline in its entire big block, bold text beauty is like a sign hanging out in front of a business. Make sure your Web page headlines grab readers’ attention.

Make Use of Subheadings

Subheadings bring attention to important secondary points. They also break up blocks of text so a Web page has more white space. More white space is easier on the eyes. Subheadings allow readers to organize mentally, a page quickly. This allows them to hone in on data relevant to their needs.

Use Shorter Paragraphs

Writing Web page content is not like writing the Great American Novel. Writing long expository passages is not effective Web page writing. Reading large blocks of text on a computer screen is not conducive to keeping your readers alert. Scrolling through unending text with little white space on a computer screen makes for tired yes.

When there is no break in text, readers lose their train of thought. They become discouraged and click away from Web sites. That’s the last thing you want when someone lands on your Web site. Work on keeping your paragraph length in the three to six sentence ranges.

Use Shorter Sentences

You want to shoot for an average length of fourteen words per sentence. That’s the average, with some shorter, some longer. You may have the occasional sentence over eighteen words but they must be the exception to the rule.

Focus On What You Want a Specific Web Page to Achieve

Are you trying to sell a product? Are you trying to inform with timely information? Are you trying to build a subscriber list? Focus your message on your Web page’s purpose. When you stay focused on your purpose, you deliver your message with clarity. You do not meander off topic and confuse or annoy your readers.

When you follow the above Web content writing rules, you do your readers a favor. You ensure their reading experience is enjoyable and a user-friendly one. Employing these principles in your article writing is also beneficial. They will help ensure your article promotion campaigns are successful as well. Applying the above tips will increase the chances that readers are open to your Web message.

Write On!

Tiva

(Tiva Kelly is the Head of Article Coaching and offers advice to authors at Article Marketer, a highly popular article distribution service. Learn how to market your small business by submitting articles through Article Marketer. )