How to Write for Websites the Right Way

Today, companies, businesses and individuals all have websites and blogs. So now more than ever, website owners and internet marketers need to know how to write for websites, or otherwise, hire writers who can do it for them.

Let’s cover the basics you should know about writing for the Internet.

Online Writing vs. Standard Writing

Online writing differs somewhat from traditional or print copy. When writing for the Internet keep in mind why people visit your website. They’re not there for a casual stroll around the mall. They want information quickly and they want it now.

If your visitors have to wait more than 6 seconds they will leave. Worse still, if you make it too hard for them to find the information they want, you can pretty much bet they won’t be coming back.

Website Visitor Behaviour

Understand the way visitors behave when they visit your site. Online readers tend to “scan” information, rather than read it. They jump from place to place like starving mosquitoes, easily distracted by images and ads that easily divert their attention.

So, to make your web page more inviting, you need to break up the information you write into small bite-size chunks.

Did you realise that reading text online is slower than reading the same text in printed form? Try to give your visitors several directions throughout your content to help them locate information with minimal effort.

Writing with Purpose

Another important element of how to write for websites is to remember that the purpose of a writer has not changed. A writer’s aim is always to communicate with their audience.

Write clean, clear, and concise copy with a clear purpose. Know your audience and write in common language that they know and understand.

Avoid the use of abbreviations, acronyms and jargon. If you must include technical terms then be sure to explain the meaning of them straight away.

Website Writing Rules

The basic rules of media writing still apply to online writing. Web pages are usually categorized into three main areas:

• Headline
• Body
• Navigation buttons and links

Headlines

Your headline is one of the most important elements of your web page. A good headline should have a subject and a verb and be written in the present tense. It also needs to get the attention of your readers.

Ideally aim for it to be no longer than 10 words. However, if your headline must occupy two lines then aim for the two lines to match in length.

Here’s an example:

“Need Time Out? Escape To Fiji A True Island Paradise “

A headline should also include the use of the correct keywords for your subject. This helps the search engines find your web page and match it to people searching for that subject. SEO (search engine optimisation) keyword research is an entire discussion of its own – so we won’t bother covering it with just the basics.

Body

On the destination pages of a website break your text into short paragraphs of only two to three sentences. Keep your page as close to one page as much as possible. Use links and bullets points for facts and figures. And provide an option for your reader to click through to the full-text version.

Spell Check

Although writing for a website has a more relaxed style, there is no excuse to not to use basic grammar, punctuation and correct spelling. Get familiar with spell check on your computer – and make sure you use it!

This is just scratching the surface when it comes to knowing how to write for websites. There are many types of online writing. These include article writing, web content pages, blog posts and of course sales copywriting. Each of them with their own unique writing style.

Write for Websites You Own

Don’t worry if this all seems overwhelming at first. There are many great resources that can teach you everything you need to know about online writing. Just start writing and over time you will get better at mastering the proper techniques.

Then again, if you are in a hurry, you can always employ the services of an experienced website writer to help speed up the process for you.

In the highly competitive online world, knowing how to write for the web and persuade your audience is vital to the success of your” business. You can discover more great website writing and marketing tips at Kym’s blog “Online Writing Skills.