|
Writing for the Web
Writing for the web is very different than writing for print. For example studies have shown:
- 79% of people who read a web page scan it instead of reading word-for-word
- Reading from computer screens is 25% slower than reading from print
- Web content should have 50% of the word count of its paper
equivalent
- It may be possible for users to enter a web site from any point to any page
Source: Writing for the Web
Writing guides and sources:
Jakob Nielsen's Useit.com: website usability
How Users Read on the Web
Writing Well for the Web
Web Style Guide, 2nd Edition
The Difference Between Online and Paper Presentation
Accessibility Issues
When writing for the Web, you must make sure that your web sites can be
viewable by people with disabilities who might use
specialized equipment to view a web page. The Yale University Library has outlined suggestions and tips for creating universally
accessible web pages:
Designing
Accessible Web Sites Yale Library outlines various issues of Web
accessbility
Bobby
Watchfire A web "bot" (robot) that searches through a web page and
automatically checks it for accessibility
The Web Accessibility Initiative An Internet-based group that promotes and assists Web accessibility. Contains information and resources.
|
