Website Content writing tips:
When writing for the web, use:
- shorter sentences, word and paragraphs
- one idea per paragraph
- concise text - half the word count (or less) than writing for print
- the inverted payramid style, putting the most important point or the conclusions first.
- simple words
- objective language to build credibility, rather than exaggregate claims or overly promotional words like "great", "tremandous" etc.
- bulleted lists
- highlighted text (bold or color, also hyperlinked text) for scannability
- meaningful headlines and subheads, avoiding cute or clever lines.
Understand how people (don't) read on the web
- Reading on the web is too much work!
That's why web content has to be 50% shorter than print.
- Readers on the web scan text
Highlighted text (bold or color, also hyperlinked text) and bulleted lists aid scannability.
- Readers on the web are impatient
They don't have the patience for obscure and complex text. They don't enjoy scrolling through masses of text either.
Since there are milliions of alternative websites in cyberspace, they will quickly move to another site if they don't enjoy the information gathering experience on your site.
Attracting attention and retaining readers interest is achallenge in itself, specially as you have just
- 10 seconds to grab attention with your website content
- 55 seconds to develop an understanding of your company or product
- Readers on the web are skeptical
Use objective language, write meaningful headlines and subheads and avoid marketing jargon or exaggregated claims to build credibility. Cute or clever lines could mean that the reader takes longer to get to the point.
Hyperlinks to the sources of your information or to related infromation also add to credibility.
- Readers avoid information overload
They don't want to spend time and effort reading content that they may not find useful.
Offer your readers information in bite-size chunks which are easily digestible.Use short sentences, short paragraphs, one idea per paragraph.
Use meaningful headlines and sub-headlines which help them nail the information they want, quickly and easily.
If you have any other queries which you think can't be resolved easily then please leave your comment below with the Question you would like to be answered here, lets help one and all.
