Ten Tips for Writing Better Web Copy
As our previous post mentioned, a lot goes into writing good copy for the web. While you may not be able to write perfect web copy with attention to every detail, here’s a list of some very general points you can use to get started.
1. Use clear, simple language, including:
- Short words
- Simple sentences
- Active words
- Personal language (you, we, etc.)
2. Limit your paragraphs to one idea.
- Clearly state your main point as soon as possible in the paragraph.
3. Limit your pages to just a few topics.
- Visitors are unlikely to scroll through several paragraphs of copy on a page.
4. Use descriptive headings and subheadings with key words.
- These headings allow your readers to quickly absorb main points when scanning a page.
5. Bold important words in your copy.
- Bold words are helpful for both search engines and for visitors to immediately see what your page is about.
6. Use lists rather than paragraphs.
- Where possible, use lists for easy reading and quick scanning of important points.
7. Link general pages to more detailed pages in your site.
- When including just a few ideas on a page, link to related or more detailed information on other pages on your site.
8. Write interesting, specific content.
- There’s a lot of information on the Internet. Visitors are looking for information quickly, and they’re looking for a reason to stay on your site.
9. Write your pages to stand alone.
- Unlike print documents, which are presented from start to finish, visitors can enter any page on your site.
10. Proofread your text.
- Errors in your copy can negatively impact your visitors’ perceptions of your company and its credibility.
