Writing for the internet is a very specific discipline. Dickens might have been able to create a fantastic novel, but it would make for a terrible web page. However, don’t worry; it is a lot simpler than you might think!
In this blog, I will outline a number of rules and guidelines which will help you to become a master of internet writing. This will help you prepare content for any website I design for you and will help you update your blogs to fire your site up the Google rankings!
So, let’s get started – here are five ways of writing for the internet.
Keep Text Sections Sort
Web users are accustomed to getting through a significant amount of information on the internet in a short space of time. Essay-like content with dozens of uninterrupted paragraphs of text is unlikely to secure you a sale, as readers are unlikely to make the commitment to get through it.
By keeping content concise and in short, informative paragraphs, you will encourage any website visitors to continue reading. This will allow you to get across any information you need and perhaps secure a conversion.
Make Content Readable
When writing for the web, you need to make sure you strike a balance between informative, well-written content and simple, readable language. You don’t have to dumb it down as if you are writing for a five-year-old, but don’t write like it is a university essay either.
This also goes for fonts; make sure they are easily legible. Extravagant fonts might have their place in terms of design, but they should never be challenging to read.
Keep Focus on Your Content
Whenever we browse the internet, there are hundreds of different things vying for our attention. There may be adverts trying to sell you products, articles with click-bait titles, social media, and much more, providing many challenges against your website standing out. However, much of this is out of our control.
On your own website, do everything possible to keep the attention on your content. Do not, for example, integrate advertisements as it will annoy and distract readers while only offering a very short-term gain.
Things like GIFs are also a bad idea, usually. They never look professional and will distract a visitor from actually reading your content.
Remember, every second a user is looking at something other than your content, they aren’t learning about your business.
Don’t Annoy Visitors!
Web users expect a certain standard, and when you do not meet this, they are likely to abandon your site entirely. Remember, as soon as someone leaves your site the sale, or whatever else you need from them, is lost.
Firstly, it is essential you make sure that your website’s colour scheme is not garish and harsh. Although this will make your site stand out, it will be difficult for anyone to look at it for more than a few seconds without getting frustrated or strained.
Secondly, people want to access a site quickly and fluidly. For example, if a website takes three seconds to load, 40% of people will abandon it entirely.
With this in mind, don’t make potential customers watch a video or enter their details to get access to the site. It is unrealistic to think that people will go to that effort.
Lastly, most web users absolutely cannot bear auto-playing ads or sounds. There is a good chance they will just close the tab or their browser completely if an unwelcome and obnoxious noise begins to play through their speakers.
Guide the Reader
Again, reading a website isn’t like reading a novel. We are not prepared to go through 300 pages to get the information we are looking for. If we click on a website with several untitled paragraphs, people are likely to look elsewhere rather than go through it all.
- Use titles to tell visitors exactly what each section of content addresses. This is also relevant when it comes to helping with SEO and your Google rank.
- It is vital that users know what to expect from each paragraph. You can imagine it like a pyramid; the start should outline the topic concisely, and information should expand out from there. This will help readers to navigate a web page.
- Lastly, accommodate for the vast majority of web readers who just scan text. Putting fundamental information in bold allows scanners to catch critical points and go from there.
Invest in Results
Presenting your content in a practical way is made significantly more manageable through a well-designed website. Placing your text in the pride of place, and presenting it in an interesting and dynamic way, will encourage visitors to read closely.
In order to arrange for your very own bespoke website, give me a call today on 01501 797 061.
Alternatively, fill in the contact form, and I will be in contact as soon as possible.