Content writing for your website

May
23

Writing content for your website is a skill that requires particular attention
to some important factors.
First impressions Count – 20 – 19 – 18 – 17 – 16 – 15 You
have only a few seconds to impress your new reader and to make
sure they stay and come back again. It is said that readers will
stay on your site for around 20 seconds, after which time they
will go if they are not impressed.

Stop Watch

Obey the 20 second rule – Keep them or lose them

Readers are far from patient and if they don’t like your home page or find interesting headings, links or what they expect to find, they will click away and try another website from the search results within 20 seconds.

Basic rules for your content

Keep your articles brief and to the point of the heading within a maximum 600-700
words.

Choice of Font – Choose Arial or Tahoma

Avoid fancy or stylish fonts which may look pretty but are not
universally available on every browser and remember readers will view your
website on differing screen resolutions as well so make sure you test your
site on the 2 most popular resolutions 800×600 and 1024×724. The majority
of websites keep to a familiar font such as Arial or Tahoma.

Remember:

  • All headings must be direct and no more than a maximum of 5 words;
  • Use eye catching and reader grabbing headings which are key word relevant
    and not with artistic licence;
  • Keep Sub headings to a maximum of 4 words;
  • Use sub headings after 3 paragraphs and pick out keywords from the paragraphs;
  • Insert sub headings every page scroll to break up the text;
  • Write for the reader not for your ego;
  • Keep paragraphs short comprising of several sentences, with a maximum
    of 50 words in total.

3 Types of sentences

Very short, Compound sentence, Complex sentence.

  • The bus was late.
  • The bus was late and every one was late
    for work    .
  • The bus was late and every one was late
    for work     because nobody noticed that there had been a
    serious accident     blocking the road around the corner.

The use of sentences can be:
Short – as a simple singular statement;
A compound sentence – which can relay more than one message;
Or a complex sentence – which can give multiple messages, as
can be seen above.

Writing for the web is not the same as writing a book or magazine. Instead,
you have to break up your messages into smaller more digestible chunks and
strategically place main headlines and sub headings across your page to grab
the reader’s attention.

Think more like a Newspaper editor and use headlines to grab reader’s attention
Your aim is to not amaze your reader with eloquent prose but more to make your point and communicate quickly your message and not use subliminal or obscure messages

Posted by admin on Sunday, May 23rd, 2010