Writing for the Web Recommendations

Writing for the web demands a unique approach, characterized by conciseness, scannability, and a keen understanding of your target audience's behavior. Unlike traditional mediums, web content necessitates concise yet compelling content, integrating elements like SEO optimization and visual appeal to cater to the fast-paced, digitally-driven preferences of online audiences. 

Below are some general recommendations to help you get started when creating content for your website. 


1. Know Your Audience

  • Understand your target audience for each piece of content. Your website and content pages should have at least one target audience you're aiming to reach.
  • Tailor your writing style, tone, and content to resonate with your audience's interests and to answer a question their searching.

2. Clear and Concise Content

  • Keep your content clear, concise, and to the point. 
  • Most visitors will be looking at various sites at once, make sure your content is a simple and easily digestible. 

3. Write for Scanners

  • Web users often scan content vs. read in detail.
  • Use short paragraphs, bullet points and sub-headings.

4. Compelling Headlines

  • Craft attention-grabbing headlines that convey the main idea of your content. 
  • A compelling headline can significantly increase click-through rates.

5. Use Engaging Visuals

  • Incorporate relevant images, infographics, or videos to enhance your content.
  • Visuals can help convey information more effectively and make your website more visually appealing.

6. SEO Optimization

  • Optimize your content for search engines (SEO) by using relevant keywords naturally throughout your text.
  • This can improve your website's visibility and attract more organic traffic.

7. Mobile-Friendly Writing

  • Many users access websites on mobile devices, so ensure your content is mobile-friendly.
  • Use short sentences and make sure your site's design is responsive (adapts to the device a visitor is using).

8. Calls-to-Action (CTA)

  • Include calls-to-action to guide users on what to do next. 
  • Whether it's to sign up for a newsletter, download a resource, or make a purchase, make the next steps you want visitors to take apparent.

9. Regular Updates

  • Keep your content fresh and up-to-date.
  • Regularly update your website with new information to maintain relevance and improve search engine rankings.

10. User-Friendly Navigation

  • Ensure that your content is easy to navigate.
  • Use a logical structure with a clear hierarchy, and include internal links (links to other pages on your website) to guide users to related content.


Page last modified March 5, 2024