Comments on: 10 Things to Consider when Writing for the Web http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/ The Web Practitioner's Blog Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:33:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Jenn Griffin http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-17264 Jenn Griffin Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:46:49 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-17264 I was thinking the same thing, Dan! I was thinking the same thing, Dan!

]]> By: Robert Mills http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-17004 Robert Mills Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:29:05 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-17004 Thanks for all the comments everyone. Glad the article has been useful and I enjoyed reading all the other suggestions and tips too. Rob. Thanks for all the comments everyone.

Glad the article has been useful and I enjoyed reading all the other suggestions and tips too.

Rob.

]]> By: designfollow http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16994 designfollow Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:46:48 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16994 thank for the great info. thank for the great info.

]]> By: Waasys http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16990 Waasys Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:43:19 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16990 Totally agree about uppercase, I just hate them and hate people writting so. Totally agree about uppercase, I just hate them and hate people writting so.

]]> By: Sarah http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16964 Sarah Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:34:24 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16964 Very nice summary of some of the most useful tips. Writing for the web is a different art than writing an essay or printed article, as readers are often in search of quick information and don't want to hang around long. This is why certain grammar rules and "good" English can be sacrificed! Very nice summary of some of the most useful tips. Writing for the web is a different art than writing an essay or printed article, as readers are often in search of quick information and don’t want to hang around long. This is why certain grammar rules and “good” English can be sacrificed!

]]> By: juliussartine http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16962 juliussartine Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:00:20 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16962 This informative, thanks you share this tips, I already do that step just the step number five still in progress. This informative, thanks you share this tips, I already do that step just the step number five still in progress.

]]> By: lucy http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16956 lucy Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:35:36 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16956 thanks for sharing, I'll follow the tips when I write blogs, it's really useful thing..... thanks for sharing, I’ll follow the tips when I write blogs, it’s really useful thing…..

]]> By: Mia http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16944 Mia Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:10:07 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16944 Another Rule : "Don't Copy & Paste" , " Avoid Copy Cat" Another Rule : “Don’t Copy & Paste” , ” Avoid Copy Cat”

]]> By: Robert http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16943 Robert Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:08:15 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16943 Your article is quite nice. Answering Charlez opinion above, i think if a healine contains more than 7 words, it will have bad effect on the SEO perspective. Google will see that as black seo. But it just my opinion Your article is quite nice. Answering Charlez opinion above, i think if a healine contains more than 7 words, it will have bad effect on the SEO perspective. Google will see that as black seo. But it just my opinion

]]> By: Charlez Bonzaga http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16942 Charlez Bonzaga Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:06:04 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16942 I think your article is usefull, but there are several things that i dont agree: "Headlines shouldn’t be longer than 7 words and should be written in the present tense" "One rule of thumb is that sentences should be between 15 and 20 words long" I think that is not the role of thumbs, i see may web with more that 20 words and its still worthed to read I think your article is usefull, but there are several things that i dont agree:
“Headlines shouldn’t be longer than 7 words and should be written in the present tense”
“One rule of thumb is that sentences should be between 15 and 20 words long”

I think that is not the role of thumbs, i see may web with more that 20 words and its still worthed to read

]]> By: caffeind http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16919 caffeind Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:47:17 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16919 This is a fantastic article! It's actually kind of sad how many blogs are not aware of who they're writing for, and even worse, are unaware that you need to copy edit PRIOR to publishing. Thank you for writing this - it's amazing and totally bookmarked. This is a fantastic article! It’s actually kind of sad how many blogs are not aware of who they’re writing for, and even worse, are unaware that you need to copy edit PRIOR to publishing.

Thank you for writing this – it’s amazing and totally bookmarked.

]]> By: Cheltenham Designer http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16910 Cheltenham Designer Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:20:39 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16910 Great article, I think it's more important than ever to have good content on your website, too many people overlook the importance of copy and then wonder why their search engine positioning is suffering or people aren't staying on the site for very long. Great article, I think it’s more important than ever to have good content on your website, too many people overlook the importance of copy and then wonder why their search engine positioning is suffering or people aren’t staying on the site for very long.

]]> By: Langzeiturlaub http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16909 Langzeiturlaub Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:11:22 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16909 Just another excellent post, thanks again. Great stuff! Just another excellent post, thanks again. Great stuff!

]]> By: Rikki Green http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16901 Rikki Green Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:39:00 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16901 What a great list you have put together. The use of acronyms is good advice for sure. My rule when using them is to always write it out the first time with the acronym behind it. Then use the acronym throuhout the remainder of the copy (if applicable of course). Loved your post. Beat wishes What a great list you have put together. The use of acronyms is good advice for sure. My rule when using them is to always write it out the first time with the acronym behind it. Then use the acronym throuhout the remainder of the copy (if applicable of course). Loved your post.

Beat wishes

]]> By: Shyamsunder Panchavati http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16900 Shyamsunder Panchavati Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:02:40 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16900 I think no.10 is the most important and of course most neglected. If you are writing,are successful, and have people coming back again & again to read your posts, thenit can be inferred that you are following most of the tips mentioned.However a positive following also sometimes brings in a sense of overconfidence, and consequent negligence. My suggestion is people should continue their learning process, even if they feel they are successful.Success is a relative term and there is no cap for it. You can view my post on capacity building at www.shyamsunder.wordpress.com Shyam I think no.10 is the most important and of course most neglected. If you are writing,are successful, and have people coming back again & again to read your posts, thenit can be inferred that you are following most of the tips mentioned.However a positive following also sometimes brings in a sense of overconfidence, and consequent negligence. My suggestion is people should continue their learning process, even if they feel they are successful.Success is a relative term and there is no cap for it.

You can view my post on capacity building at http://www.shyamsunder.wordpress.com

Shyam

]]> By: Global Domains International http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16893 Global Domains International Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:52:52 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16893 Those are really good tips.. Nice post thanks Those are really good tips.. Nice post thanks

]]> By: writer extraordinaire http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16887 writer extraordinaire Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:08:08 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16887 Weird - one word was taken out of my post "poorly written MESS" and two random words were added at the end. Ah well, even when one is being careful, technology can get in the way... Weird – one word was taken out of my post “poorly written MESS” and two random words were added at the end. Ah well, even when one is being careful, technology can get in the way…

]]> By: writer extraordinaire http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16886 writer extraordinaire Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:06:01 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16886 The fact that the author felt even slightly compelled to put together such an obvious and elementary list of writing tips is clear evidence of something I've known for a long time - most people are crappy writers (hey, I'm a crappy painter; we can't all do everything). Web designers and developers should always have professional writers in their stables and should utilize them every chance they can. The fact that people (both designers and clients) often push cutting corners by not wanting to pay for a professional writer/editor/proofreader seems utterly insane to me. The entire point of having a website is to convey your content as effectively as possible. The graphics can be as slick as ice, but if the text is a garbled, mispunctuated, poorly written, I for one am taking my business elsewhere. Every single time. And I'm not alone in this - many people I know (writers and non-writers alike) won't touch a business with bad text on its website or print media. Do yourself and your clients a favor and hire a professional. And if you're the designer, push your clients to pay for a wordsmith. It's worth the investment every single time. Unless you're putting together a site for a writer, neither you nor your client can do a better job than a professional. And yes, The fact that the author felt even slightly compelled to put together such an obvious and elementary list of writing tips is clear evidence of something I’ve known for a long time – most people are crappy writers (hey, I’m a crappy painter; we can’t all do everything). Web designers and developers should always have professional writers in their stables and should utilize them every chance they can. The fact that people (both designers and clients) often push cutting corners by not wanting to pay for a professional writer/editor/proofreader seems utterly insane to me. The entire point of having a website is to convey your content as effectively as possible. The graphics can be as slick as ice, but if the text is a garbled, mispunctuated, poorly written, I for one am taking my business elsewhere. Every single time. And I’m not alone in this – many people I know (writers and non-writers alike) won’t touch a business with bad text on its website or print media.

Do yourself and your clients a favor and hire a professional. And if you’re the designer, push your clients to pay for a wordsmith. It’s worth the investment every single time. Unless you’re putting together a site for a writer, neither you nor your client can do a better job than a professional.

And yes,

]]> By: Urviho http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16885 Urviho Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:30:33 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16885 Yeah, i definitely need to improve my writing skills :) Yeah, i definitely need to improve my writing skills :)

]]> By: Robert Mills http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16884 Robert Mills Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:06:13 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16884 Hi Joann, I didn't actually say 'avoid contractions'. I said we should use them. Thanks Rob. Hi Joann,

I didn’t actually say ‘avoid contractions’. I said we should use them.

Thanks

Rob.

]]> By: Joann Sondy http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16883 Joann Sondy Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:57:57 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16883 I'm torn: I like your article and agree with some of your points, however, I take exception with a few. I don't like the idea that you're advocating tossing out grammar and punctuation just to accommodate "writing for the web." Isn't that like throwing the baby out with the bath water -- pardon the pun. Avoid contractions -- come on, we're all grown ups. Avoid long sentences -- I'm an educated individual with an exceptional ability to read the written word. Consistent use of short sentences is best suited for advert copy. Can't we all just write intelligently? I’m torn: I like your article and agree with some of your points, however, I take exception with a few. I don’t like the idea that you’re advocating tossing out grammar and punctuation just to accommodate “writing for the web.” Isn’t that like throwing the baby out with the bath water — pardon the pun.

Avoid contractions — come on, we’re all grown ups.
Avoid long sentences — I’m an educated individual with an exceptional ability to read the written word. Consistent use of short sentences is best suited for advert copy.

Can’t we all just write intelligently?

]]> By: John Kessler http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16882 John Kessler Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:14:05 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16882 Proofreading is of course a must, but I find I can read over the same obvious mistake in my work several times and not notice it, but once the item has been published the error jumps off the page or screen at me. The lesson I have learned is to either proof read at least the next day after writing or have someone else proofread for me. Printing out the copy and reading it on paper may help as well. Perhaps it's the change in context that makes a difference. I've often carefully proofed a message I've written to a forum like this before clicking "Submit" and was 100% positive I had corrected every error, only to see huge obvious errors once the message was posted. Proofreading is of course a must, but I find I can read over the same obvious mistake in my work several times and not notice it, but once the item has been published the error jumps off the page or screen at me. The lesson I have learned is to either proof read at least the next day after writing or have someone else proofread for me. Printing out the copy and reading it on paper may help as well.

Perhaps it’s the change in context that makes a difference. I’ve often carefully proofed a message I’ve written to a forum like this before clicking “Submit” and was 100% positive I had corrected every error, only to see huge obvious errors once the message was posted.

]]> By: John Kessler http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16881 John Kessler Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:02:16 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16881 Are you saying title capitalization rules should be different between web and print content? I ask because the Chicago Manual of Style refers to "heading caps" and has this rule applying to them. ---- Heading caps capitalize “the first and last words and all nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and subordinating conjunctions” (CMS 1993, 282). Also capitalize the first character after a colon in a title or heading. Otherwise, do not capitalize: Articles: a, an, the. Prepositions, including: against, between, in, of. Conjunctions: and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet. Infinitive: to. ---- I've always followed that both for print and the web. Are you saying title capitalization rules should be different between web and print content? I ask because the Chicago Manual of Style refers to “heading caps” and has this rule applying to them.

—-

Heading caps capitalize “the first and last words and all nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and subordinating conjunctions” (CMS 1993, 282). Also capitalize the first character after a colon in a title or heading. Otherwise, do not capitalize:

Articles: a, an, the.
Prepositions, including: against, between, in, of.
Conjunctions: and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet.
Infinitive: to.

—-

I’ve always followed that both for print and the web.

]]> By: Robert Mills http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16880 Robert Mills Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:32:35 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16880 Hi Ivo, Sorry, I didn't mean to ignore your question. The answer is that it is incorrect English to start every word with a capital letter and it is unnecessary. There is some interesting information in the Wikipedia Manual of Style about capitalisations (or capitalizations) and whilst it is specific to Wikipedia content, I still think it is advice that can be applied elsewhere. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style_(capital_letters) Specifically it says: 'Use sentence-style capitalization, not title-style capitalization: Capitalize the first letter of the first word and any proper nouns in headings, but leave the rest lower case. Thus "Rules and regulations", not "Rules and Regulations".' Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions Rob. Hi Ivo,

Sorry, I didn’t mean to ignore your question. The answer is that it is incorrect English to start every word with a capital letter and it is unnecessary.

There is some interesting information in the Wikipedia Manual of Style about capitalisations (or capitalizations) and whilst it is specific to Wikipedia content, I still think it is advice that can be applied elsewhere.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style_(capital_letters)

Specifically it says:

‘Use sentence-style capitalization, not title-style capitalization: Capitalize the first letter of the first word and any proper nouns in headings, but leave the rest lower case. Thus “Rules and regulations”, not “Rules and Regulations”.’

Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions

Rob.

]]> By: Darren http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16879 Darren Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:18:00 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16879 I'm always trying to push my clients in this direction. Now I'll just send them to this article. Thanks! I’m always trying to push my clients in this direction. Now I’ll just send them to this article. Thanks!

]]> By: Liz http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16874 Liz Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:24:09 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16874 Thank you for the tips! I'd like to add that those tips are very useful to everyone, not only those who write web copy. I teach English to foreigners and teaching them to write digestible texts is really hard - a lot of my students write paragraph-long sentences and are very proud of themselves. They think I'm mean when I correct them and split one sentence into three. I'll show them your post and hopefully they'll get the idea. :) Thank you for the tips!

I’d like to add that those tips are very useful to everyone, not only those who write web copy.

I teach English to foreigners and teaching them to write digestible texts is really hard – a lot of my students write paragraph-long sentences and are very proud of themselves. They think I’m mean when I correct them and split one sentence into three. I’ll show them your post and hopefully they’ll get the idea. :)

]]> By: Killer http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16873 Killer Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:02:52 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16873 I have to disagree on number 9. Shorter sentences are good. But if you are keeping the reader's attention with your content, length is not a big issue. Context is much more important than format. I have to disagree on number 9. Shorter sentences are good. But if you are keeping the reader’s attention with your content, length is not a big issue. Context is much more important than format.

]]> By: Ivo Bosma http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16871 Ivo Bosma Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:10:01 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16871 Hello Rob, thanks for taking the time to explain a few things. I posted the comment "Concerning #4: 'Also avoid starting every word with a capital letter in your headings''. Can you explain why you shouldn’t?' Could you tell me why this is bad? I'm very curious ;-) Thanks, Ivo Hello Rob,

thanks for taking the time to explain a few things. I posted the comment “Concerning #4: ‘Also avoid starting every word with a capital letter in your headings”. Can you explain why you shouldn’t?’

Could you tell me why this is bad? I’m very curious ;-)

Thanks,

Ivo

]]> By: John Koetsier http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16866 John Koetsier Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:42:15 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16866 11. Follow your own rules. 11. Follow your own rules.

]]> By: Ed http://thinkvitamin.com/design/10-things-to-consider-when-writing-for-the-web/#comment-16865 Ed Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:24:27 +0000 http://carsonified.com/?p=3831#comment-16865 It's really interesting about uppercase text taking longer to read. Thanks for the write-up. It’s really interesting about uppercase text taking longer to read. Thanks for the write-up.

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