Writing for the Web: Tips and Techniques for Online Content Creation

Writing for the web is different from writing a novel.

With online content, you have just a few seconds to grab your reader’s attention and keep them engaged whereas in your novel you have the intrigue of the front cover and the attention-grabbing summary that makes them want — no need to know what happens in your novel that has them wandering over to the register your book safely tucked under their arm for safekeeping.

Web writing — not so much. If you don’t grab your reader in the first five seconds they’ll quickly turn their attention to something else that will hold them until they continue in their scrolling looking for that little bit of dopamine in their daily word intake.

To create effective online content, you need to know how to write for the web, an ever-changing and ever-elusive wave that can be hard to catch unless you’re already out there on the water, but here are some tips and techniques to help you create web-friendly content.

Keep it short and sweet

Online readers don’t have the patience for long articles. Keep your content short and to the point. Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and subheadings to break up your content into digestible chunks.

Use simple language

Your writing should be easy to read and understand. Use simple language and avoid jargon and technical terms. Write for your audience, not for yourself.

Use active voice

Active voice makes your writing more engaging and easier to read. Use active verbs and avoid passive voice whenever possible. This will make your writing more dynamic and help keep your readers interested.

Write headlines that grab attention

Headlines are the first thing your readers see, so make them count. Use attention-grabbing headlines that accurately reflect the content of your article. Keep your headlines short and to the point.

Use images and videos

Images and videos can make your content more engaging and help break up text. Use high-quality images and videos that add value to your content. Be sure to include alt tags for accessibility.

Make it scannable

Online readers tend to scan content rather than read it word-for-word. Make your content scannable by using short paragraphs, bullet points, and subheadings. Use bold and italicized text sparingly to highlight key points.

Optimize for search engines

Search engine optimization (SEO) is important for making your content discoverable online. Use relevant keywords in your content and meta descriptions. Be sure to include internal and external links to other relevant content.

By following these tips and techniques, you can create web-friendly content that engages your readers and keeps them coming back for more.

Keep writing no matter what it is you write.

With love,

B.K. xo xo

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**” I received assistance from ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI, in writing this article.”