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How to Write for the Web

If you want a legion of loyal readers bookmarking your Web site, just remember to make it snappy.

Wherever possible use leaner paragraphs, shorter sentences, and smaller words.

Sounds easy

A clean style is a basic skill of magazine or newspaper article writing, and one that continues to be highly prized on the Web.

Easy-to-read, however, doesn't mean dumbed down.

Like you and me, Web surfers simply don't have the patience to scan through large chunks of copy sprinkled with five-dollar words. So follow these basic rules of writing for the Web, and you'll soon be earning the heartfelt gratitude of online readers everywhere :

Top ten tips for writing for the Web

• Avoid fancy five-dollar words. It's a hint that you're trying to hide something, (like you really don't know your subject.)
  
  
• Break up a long sentence. Make it two.
  
  
• Readers don't like scrolling down a very long page. Keep articles 300-500 words, or publish longer articles over several pages.
  
  
• Use bulleted lists. Readers like them.
  
  
• Break up your paragraphs into digestible bites. They're easier to read.
  
  
• Use catchy titles. The best time-tested examples usually begin with "How to...", "Secrets of ..." "Top Ten Tips for ....".
  
  
• Use subtitles as signposts and to raise interest level.
  
  
• Spellcheck. Nothing says AMATEUR like lots of misspellings or typos.
  
  
• Write captions for related photos and illustrations. Use graphics not only as decoration, but to enhance the story.
  
  
• Sans serif fonts (Arial, Verdana) are easier to read on computer screens than Serif fonts (Times Roman, Courier).

A word about keywords

Of course, good Web copy isn't only written to engage readers. It's also written so search engines can target your content-rich article.

What's your story's main theme? Let the search engines know right away by using a keyword in the title, and several times throughout the article. Also, take note of the No. 1 rule for all keyword usage. Don't overdo it ... (more keyword tips here).

Elsewhere on the Web

Writing for the Web

News Article Design: 20 Tips For Good Web Copy, Web Pro News

Writing for the Web, Penn State

How to Write for the Web, BBC Action Network

also see -> Writing Search Engine Optimized Articles