Ten Tips for Good Web Writing

1) Write relevant content.

If it doesn’t relate to your site or page topic, leave it out. Web readers want information.

2) Use the inverted pyramid structure when you write.
Get to the point in the first sentence, then expand upon it.

3) Write only one idea per paragraph.

Web pages need to be concise and to-the-point. People don’t read Web pages, they scan them. Short paragraphs are better than long rambling ones.

4) Use quotations/interviews
Illustrating a story, report, article makes it easier to follow.

5) Use lists instead of paragraphs.

Lists are easier to scan than paragraphs, especially if you keep them short.

6) Limit list items to 7 words.

People can only reliably remember 7-10 things at a time.

7) Write short sentences.

Sentences should be as concise as you can make them. Use only the words you need to get the essential information across.

8) Include internal sub-headings
Sub-headings make the text more scannable. Readers move to the paragraph that is most useful for them. Internal cues make it easier to do this.

9) Make your links part of the copy.

Links help readers situate key information when scanning a webpage. Links stand out from normal text, and provide more cues as to what the page is about.

10) Proofread your work