Tips for Producing & Presenting Quality Web Content

The web content you present pertaining to your business is like a banner trumpeting what you are all about as a business. When adding content to your business website, make sure what you are adding is error-free. Accurate spelling, grammar, as well as punctuation are necessary for presenting your message clearly and for displaying a professional image.

Errors and typos distract your reader. They take away from that message promoting your business in general, and your products and services in particular.

Therefore, follow these tips for proofreading your web content to ensure you give the best to those who make the decision to spend time at your web portal:

1. Print up your website copy; seeing it on plain paper that you hold in your hands gives you a fresh perspective. It gets your eyes off that computer screen. You look at the content in a different way and tend to spot errors better.

2. Check that numbers you present are accurate. Also, in addition to checking individual words, check individual punctuation marks to make sure you're using the right punctuation in the right situation.

3. Proofread for formatting errors as well. Do your bullet points stand out from the body text above and below it? Are your headings and sub-headings logically laid out? Are you using your fonts wisely or are you using a chaotic mish-mash that is confusing and distracting to your reader?

4. Have a different set of eyes proofread your copy. Someone else may pick up an error you overlooked. They may also point out inconsistencies in your message - where you meandered away from the main purpose of your content.

5. Adhere to general grammar rules so your writing is clear. You don't want a muddled message reaching your audience. There's a plethora of grammar and style guides available in book stores and online.

6. Don't rely solely on using your computer program's spell-checker. A spell-checker is a tool that aids your proofreading.

7. Consider words that sound alike, but have different meanings. Make sure you're using the write...er...sorry...right words.

Proofread your business web content so your readers have an enjoyable reading experience. You want them concentrating on what you offer - not on errors - typographical and otherwise. These errors take away from the professional image you want to convey to those investigating your site and your products and services.

Personalize your web content

On your business website, your intention is to conversationally inform your readers. They arrived at your website looking for useful information on your business and products and services.

Here are three tips for connecting with them as if talking to them face-to-face:

• Don't engage in flamboyant all-or-nothing sales language. That visitor to your website didn't come looking for the hard sell. Provide them useful information in a dignified manner. Educate them on what you offer. Respect their need for quality information presented clearly and in an easy-to-read style.

• Use second person narrative..."you" and "your"...to personalize your writing. You want your reader feeling that they are engaging in a one-on-one dialog with you.

• Avoid stilted formal language that borders on legalese and such. Write in a conversational tone and avoid industry jargon that you understand but your reader may not.

Web page writing means engaging your reader via a casual conversation that speaks to their wants and needs. If your writing is stuffy and tedious, or bordering on late-night infomercial hype, you'll have your readers clicking away to another site. You want them enjoying a breezy informative read on your site, comfortable in the knowledge that you're giving them the content they require.