Writing for the Web

How Users Read on the Web (Neilson Norman Group)
People rarely read Web pages word by word; instead, they scan the page, picking out individual words and sentences. In research on how people read websites we found that 79 percent of our test users always scanned any new page they came across; only 16 percent read word-by-word.

Web Writing 101 (PR New Pros)
Shortly after I had accepted my position as web content coordinator at Lycoming College, I had the opportunity to attend Neilsen Norman Group Usability Week in 2011. I've always considered myself to be a strong writer, but I never realized the notable differences between print and web writing. The difference comes down to this: just because we can read at or above college level doesn't mean we want to, especially when we're online.

Web Headlines: Three Ways to Focus on the Front (ComPRehsion)
Leading with the topic word in your Web headline is one way to get found and get clicked online. When you put the keywords in the first word or two of your Web head, you increase your chances of getting listed higher by search engines and helping readers figure out what your Web page is about.

Pass the skim test: Writing copy that delivers your key ideas online (Public Relations Society of America)
In the headline for one of his articles, usability expert Jakob Nielsen asks, "How do users read on the Web?"
"They don't," he answers in the first sentence.

Overcome the obstacles of reading on-screen (Public Relations Society of America)
Constant problem solving (to click or not to click?) and divided attention (you've got mail) lead to cognitive overload on the Web.

10 tricks of the Web writing and marketing trade (Ragan Communications)
On the Web, most contacts are "pull." People come to your site to find information; the visitor starts the conversation. And you must converse--you must satisfy their information need before you can market to them.