Writing for the Web differs from writing for hardcopy! The trick to getting it right on the Web is in presenting text in a style compatible with how readers read online. Follow these criteria to ensure that your readers get the message you send:
Online readers:
- Read 25 percent slower from a computer screen
- Generally don't read word for word - they scan
- Dislike large blocks of text
Further:
- Be succinct. Write no more than half of the text you would for hardcopy.
- Write for scanability. Users skim what they read online.
- Use headings, highlights, bullets and hypertext to draw your readers in to the text.
- Be excellent in the mechanics of your writing.