Writing for the web needs to be different from writing for print. According to Jakob Nelsen's study, we tend to scan content on the web and search for the information we want, which is not the same way we read books or magazines. There are some rules help to improve writing content on your web pages.
The conclusion first
Place the most important part of web writing at the very top of your web page.
- People can quickly scan and decide if they want to read the rest or not.
- They don’t like to read all the way to the bottom of the screen.
- If you place the most important points at the end, most of them may miss it.
Use clear and simple language
Your website is going to be viewed from people around the world with all levels of English knowledge. If you write to lower level audiences understand you have done well.
Limit one thought in each paragraph
It’s hard to read long especially on computer monitor. If you try to limit only one idea each paragraph, it will be easy to scan through and get general idea what the paragraph is about.
Use lists
Try to use list if you can because
- Easier to scan
- Users do not need to read every word but still understandable
- Short and get to the point
Use descriptive link text
You want your audiences to interact with your pages, give them a definition for the link. Let them know what it will be on the end when they click link not just “click here.”
Be concise
Keep your pages short and concise. If your content is very long, better to have sub section and write as a stand-alone page.
About NWDS -
founded in 2003 by six software engineers, NorthWest Data Solutions
(NWDS) provides custom computer programming and systems design services.
NWDS creates many types of software, including e-commerce, financial,
defense, engineering, logistics, aviation and more. www.nwds-ak.com
