Writing for the Web

If you are creating a literary site, this page is not for you. 

This is really just a summary of writing instructions I have picked up over the years.  These 'rules' are simply business writing principles that have been modified for the web.

Number 1 Know your audience

You can assume an average 8th grade reading level.

Avoid the use of jargon, abbreviations, or technical terms unless you take time to explain what they mean.  The only time this rule does not apply is on a site focused on a specific group or on an intranet site.  In focused or intranet sites, you can make the assumption that your readers know what your terms mean.

Knowing your audience will allow you to set the proper tone.  If your site is a business site, write formally.  If your site is more relaxed, well, hey dude, just, you know, write more casually.

Number 2 One thought One sentence

Yeah.

Number 3 Write top to bottom

The most important information in every paragraph or page needs to be at the top.  This is important because people browsing your site will generally skim through reading only the first sentences until they find the information they are seeking.  As you progress through each paragraph, you can flesh out your ideas more thoroughly.  This also helps to keep your important information at the top of the page (when browsing, most people move on to another site if they don't see what they are looking for on the first page).

Number 4 Use of Hyperlinks

Hyper Text Markup Language is based around the fact that you can link your text to other, related sites.   Use hyperlinks liberally to define technical terms, help viewers move more easily through your site, or move on to other sites of interest.  Don't be afraid to link people out of your own pages, if your site is a dead end, people will be less likely to come back.

Number 5 Hypertext Emphasis tags

Make your important words jump off of the page with emphasis tags.  Don't go crazy with this, used sparingly, emphasis tags can very effectively enhance your page.  I don't use this very often. . . but that's me being lazy.

Number 6 Imagery   

Visualize your audience when you are writing.   Imagine that you are writing to the person reading your page.  This will focus your thoughts on what you are saying and how it needs to be said.

Number 7 Read it Out LOUD

Read everything back to yourself out loud.   You will catch more mistakes that way.

That's about all I have to say about that.