What Web Design School can teach you about Writing for the Web

by Caitlin Sanford
Web Design School Review Columnist

According to Usability.gov, the U.S. government Web usability site, content is the most important part of a Web site. Increasingly, clients rely on Web designers to write original content in addition to designing layout and graphics.

To nail content, you should master a few key writing techniques and practice your writing in Web design school. Once you’ve conquered content writing, you should have employers beating down your door.

Managing Content as a Career Skill

At some point in your Web design career, you will probably be asked to write content for the Web. For many graphic designers and programmers, who may be more fluent in code than in English, this is a terrifying task. But keep in mind that your career options will be multiplied if you are comfortable turning facts into readable content. To start, keep your writing simple, concise, and clear.

Style Tips for Web Content

Writing for the Web is not the place to pretend you’re Baudelaire or Shakespeare. Web site prose should use a simple, direct style. You should use short sentences with common vocabulary. Here are some essential style tips:

Be concise. Eliminate unnecessary words from each sentence and unnecessary sentences from each paragraph.
Stay on topic. Make sure there is a logical flow in your sentences. Don’t digress into unrelated topics.
Use abbreviations and jargon sparingly. Explain any acronyms or abbreviations you use.

Content Writing in Web Design School

The best way to improve your Web content writing is to practice. Web design school is a great way to get experience writing for Web sites. Furthermore, since your portfolio is often the final factor in career hiring decisions, you want to include examples of original content in your portfolio. Web design school can help you build a portfolio that showcases your writing talent.

About the author

Caitlin Sanford is a consultant and freelance writer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Stanford University.

Source(s)

Bureau of Labor Statistics
Usability.gov
“Editorial Style,” Web Style Guide

Posted at 10:46 AM on August 28, 2007

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