How To: Write for the web

Check it out, it's a new article I just got done writing. I think a lot of AdSense publishers don't know how to write for the web. Theres a HUGE difference between writing for the web, and writing for print. Copying Wikipedia articles doesn't work!

Writing content and articles for the web

Digg: Digg It!
Shoutwire: Shout It!

 

Dude,

Great article. I found it to be exactly what you say writing for the web should be. I "dugg" it...no literally!

Tom Z.
http://www.energyrefuge.com

 

Looks like a good link, Havent read it yet but cheers

 

Thanks for the compliments you two I read all the information today before I wrote the article, and wow! I had no idea how to write for the web. I think my earnings and return visitors will definately improve from it.

 

Great article. I agree that writing for the web is actually very different than writing for print. Awsome information in your article RuDeDoGg, every web content writer should have that information in mind

 

A good draft!

but with ....

Your word didn't make "Since" to me.

 

Hi!

Even thought this was quite familiar for me, article was good and it had same "touch" as what it was all about, simple and easy to read.

So yes... I 'digg it'.

 

Nice article. I just forwarded the link to my Technology writers at Suite101 to have them take a look (the style we obviously want them writing in), and I passed it along to the other Suite101 Editors so they could share it with their writers if they'd like.

Jenn

 

You neglected to mention keywords and key phrases. This is vastly important for web based content.

Think about the keywords and phrases surfers are likely to use in a search engine to find your article. Then make certain to use those specific phrases in the article. Add them to any headings and sub headings. Sprinkle them throughout the text. But do not over do it, as it will turn off your readers and may look like keyword spam to search engine bots that crawl the page.

In places where you might normally use a word like "the", or "it", in reference to a keyword previously mentioned, throw in that keyword. Do it just slightly more than you would write naturally. I say "slightly more" just so you get a few more occurences of the exact keyphrase in there without it sounding too contrived.

Write your article first, then think about the keywords and look for the ones that you already have in there. Then go back and reword headings and subheadings with those keywords and phrases, then look for a few more places in the body of text where you could "stuff" it in a few more times.

Or begin with keywords and phrases you have researched. Then write your article around them.

 

If only my clients would get that. They think they can just hire a writer -- any writer -- to do the work. They don't see the huge difference. It drives me nuts!

Good article, but I agree with axemedia. You need to include keywords/keyword phrases.

 

Good article, I have just read a similar piece on zillionbits.com http://www.zillionbits.com/misc/how-to-write-good-web-content/

There is a link to Jakob Nielson - Writing for the web, http://www.useit.com/papers/webwriting/. He discusses similar points to your article. One interesting point, is the 'inverted pyramid' where you write with the conclusion first.

 

nice article

 

Proof read. Every time you edit text, start at the beginning and read the entire article.

 

I've been writing content for the web for quite a while now. In fact, its now my full time business and I hire many writers.

We found the best response we get from content sites and Adsense is keeping articles around 350 words and use a lot of headings and dot points if you write more then that.

 

Good read, thanks. A lot of those points apply to any kind of writing and I wish people would pay attention to them more.

 

A nice read, but the couple of typos here and there in an article about writing didn't look too well

 

From where did you get that statistic? 25%

 

When you have a subject that just can't be adequately covered in that approximate wordcount, do you go to multiple pages or organize it by subtopics .. and what is the result of each method?

 

I wouldn't say it's "huge".

A good writer for print can adapt to the web easier than a terrible writer can learn to write good copy, IMO.

Also, I wonder if the comment from http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9710a.html Tells the whole story.

Consider this part:

My method, if I am in a hurry, is to scan a page then bookmark it for a detailed read when I have time. If a page looks too skimpy, I usually won't go back. Why should I?

And while I can only speak for my own behavior, I will seldom click a link or ad in a superficial article, or an article with with questionable credibility. I will usually go back to the SE.