Writing for the web

Website writing is different from typical writing styles you have previously encountered. There are some general rules that apply to writing appropriate website text. Your website consultant can edit your website text to make it web-friendly.

General rules for website text:

• Keep text short
  Concise text is essential to effectively communicating on the web. Keep paragraphs short and to the point. Don´t feel the need to always use complete sentences, use phrases where appropriate.
  
• Active voice
  Write in the active voice unless you are speaking about past events. The active voice (present tense) helps to keep your reader interested in the web page content.
  
• Use credible sources
  Cite sources where appropriate. You can follow formal citation rules or simply hyperlink a website the information is located. Remember, that you will be judged by your references, so choose reliable and authoritative sources.
  
• Hyperlink your text
  Use hyperlinks (links within paragraph text) to allow your reader to find more information about a particular subject. Hyperlinks may link to a different location in your website or to a different completely different web page. When linking outside of your site, it is best to inform the reader that they will be directed to another website.
  
• Use headers and bold font appropriately
  Headers help to divide text so that readers can quickly find the information for which they are searching. Use bold font and different colors to draw the reader´s attention to a particular spot on the page.
  
• Format for the web
  Web page format is different from page format for written works. Most readers read web pages in a "F" pattern. This means the most important website text should be at the top of the page or in the left column. (Jakob Nielson´s theory of F-pattern content)
• Use bullets and lists
  Bulleted sections and lists can help you organize your content so that it is easily accessible for the reader. Lists also allow you to use phrases instead of complete (and sometimes awkward) sentences.
  
• Divide your text
  Every topic should have its own page on your website. Remember to divide your content so that your reader can find precisely the desired information.
  
• Spell check
  Some spelling errors are to be expected in forums and blogs, but if you wish to provide trustworthy content, then spelling counts. Spell check your text before publishing it to the web.
  

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