Writing for the web may seem like an easy task, but in fact, it is not as easy as it seems. Most new web writers today tend to ramble on a bit, as they are expected to do in novels. This is a strict no-no in web writing. Moreover, to write well for the web, you need to understand what today’s internet users want and expect. Here, we list five tips that will help you understand what writing for the web is all about.
1. Prioritize Information
When writing for the web, it is highly important that you prioritize your information. You need to understand that writing for the web is very different from writing a story or a novel. You must make sure that the most important points or messages of your article come first, and the less important ones come much later down the line. You could also apply the inverted pyramid theory, wherein the conclusions are presented at the beginning of the paragraphs, and the point is expanded as the paragraph goes on.
2. One Idea per Paragraph
The thing with web pages is that they need to be short and to the point. People don’t sit and read entire web pages; they tend to scan through them, picking up the main ideas from each paragraph. So, if you write short and meaty paragraphs, limiting the ideas contained in each paragraph to a minimum, the reader is more likely to be satisfied. Keep your wording short & simple, don’t use fancy words, and remember to be brief and crisp.
3. Include links
When you write for the web, you need to win over the confidence of your readers. One fool proof way to achieve this is by providing external links to support your theories and facts. You need to provide links that explain your points in simpler terms, while also verifying the truthfulness of your conveyed information. This way, the reader is more likely to pay attention to what you are trying to convey, and your web page will turn out to be better received. Also, links stand out from the normal text, and act as a way of providing more cues about your web page.
4. Use Simple Language
Don’t try to be over creative and clever on the web. Simple writing is the order of the day for most web pages. Clever phrasing requires people to think, and asking people to think doesn’t work on the web. Most people don’t have the time to think about each and every statement that you write. Thus, it is advisable that you use short and simple sentences, skip unnecessary words and needless repetitions, and use short paragraphs ranging from four to six sentences per paragraph. Also, do not try to build excitement as you lead up to your point, this is not creative writing. Your readers should not be made to wait at all for the information you want to convey.
5. Visual Appeal
Finally, your web page must also pay attention to web design. You need to keep a close eye on how your web page looks. Words alone cannot make your web page stand out. There are various ways by which you can enhance the visual appeal of your web page. You could use varying font styles and sizes in different sections of the page, replace paragraphs with bullet points, or even use highlights and bold texts to attract attention. Also, consider employing illustrations, tables, lists, and charts to draw attention to important or related information.
Image credit: Terry Johnston on flickr and reproduced under Creative Commons 2.0
Pranay Kanagat is a freelance writer who has a love for writing on various subjects. In particular, he enjoys creative writing. He is also studying for an Engineering degree.