Writing for the web is pretty simple on the surface, but the switch from writing for print to writing for the web is a difficult one for many people.
Here are some writing-for-the-web techniques to get you started:
1. Use long descriptive headlines, sub headings and sub-sub headings
- People commonly skim read web content very quickly, and they are attracted to headlines to get the gist of the pages content
2. Use bullet points and numbered lists
- Short, punchy bullet points are easy to digest, and divides content into easily managed chunks
- There is nothing more boring to a user than a long paragraph of text, it screams “I’m too long to read!”
3. Use very short paragraphs
- 1 sentence paragraphs on the web are fine (they are frowned upon in print)
- 2 sentence, and 3 sentence paragraphs are good
- 4 or more sentences in a paragraph is no good
4. Use internal hyperlinks
- If you have another webpage that explains a phrase or idea in more detail, link to it
- It’s good for the user because they know where they can go next, and its good for search engines
5. Use occasional bolding and italics to emphasise
- But don’t over do it!
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