How to
write for the web
On the web, one page on print media
requires two or three screens.
- Write in
small digestible
chucks, which fit into the information hierarchy. To
create your hierarchy, outline the website as you would for printed
material.
- Examine
the site's purpose and outline the main sections (e.g. words people
use to navigate) and the links within those heads. Test it before it
goes online.
- Write headlines and links on
Post-IT sticky notes and put them on a chart.
Show the chart to sample users. Ask
them how to get from one section to another.
- Run a usability test.
- Put the outline of each webpage on
a sheet of paper.
- Stack the pages and, sitting next
to the user, hold up the pages. Tell them what to find and ask them
to "click" the headings to get there. If they choose the right pages
then continue; otherwise go back and make notes.
- Don't give any hints or clues on
how to navigate.
- Sit back and watch. You¡¯ll be
amazed how their approach differs from what you had expected. Make
notes for later revisions. This paper model helps you see how people
navigate through the site.
- By writing concise,
descriptive headings, you will lead
users to the content that they are seeking.
For example, do visitors expect to
find phone numbers, under "Who we are" or "Contact us"?
- Planning is 80 percent of the
work.
Once you've created a good outline, the
writing will have more impact.
About the Author
Ivan Walsh teaches people
how to make money writing Technical Documents.
Read how he makes over
$150,000 as a Technical Writer on his blog.
You can also catch him on Twitter @
ihearttechdocs
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