Writing for the Website

Some tips to sharpen your webpage text – making sure, when your viewer enters your Mount page, they are given a tool
with information that is quick and easy to find.

1. Your online content is written informally, broken into small paragraphs, non-linear, interactive, dynamic and current.

2. When re-packaging written content, re-think how it can be rewritten, laid out and
designed.  Make sure it is appealing for your average online user.

3. Break up your text into smaller blocks containing full thoughts…think in blocks or chunks of
information instead of longer paragraphs with many ideas.

4. Write strong headlines, subheads, cut-lines and labels.  Internet readers have a "search-and-retrieve"
mentality .  They prefer to scan for the information or keywords they need, often bypassing the rest.

• Use bullet points, numbering, indentation, white or blank space and some bold lettering for emphasis.

• Use theory of the INVERTED PYRAMID…Your most important thought is your  title or headline, then work details out from there.

• Grab your reader with the simple W’s; Who – What – Where – When – Why

5. Using links in your text is an easy way to give your page depth. Think of your page as a web-tool.  For links, highlight words associated with the link instead of using the long URL.

6. Avoid posting PDF’s – often readers get lost in its text and important information is too
time-consuming to find.

7. Think "presentation" and "interaction.”  How am I presenting this information and is it easy to use?

8.  Know your audience. Ask yourself, “Who is reading this and Who do I want to read this?”

9. Consider online reading as easy and light reading.

10. Remember: if no one reads it, what value will it have?