Editing for the WebPortal Users Group (PUG)

Lauren Curtis Office for Commonwealth Development

79% of users scan the page instead of reading word for word

Reading from computer screens is 25% slower than reading from paper

Web content should have roughly 50% of the word count of its paper equivalent

A few facts that many of you may be aware of and should take into consideration when developing new or editing existing content.

First, writing and editing for the web are different than writing and editing for print.

Writing and editing for the web requires the writer to maintain clarity and consistency.

This can be done in part by:

Using simple sentence structure.

Keeping the most important points visible and prominent. Most users scan rather than read web pages and will move on if they do not find the information they are looking for.

Making sure you do not have any misspellings or grammatical errors (remember web pages are highly visible and you are representing your agency or secretariat).

You want to be especially careful in spelling names.

Some things to consider when writing and editing for the web.

Some MORE things to consider when writing and editing for the web.

Hyperlinks stand out by virtue of being colored and underlined, so they should be written to do double duty as highlighted keywords.

Use bulleted and numbered lists

Eliminate all references to the web. For example refrain from using the phrases like “click here” on a webpage.

Do not use acronyms or jargon unless they have been defined elsewhere on the page. Assume that the user, in most cases, has come upon your content with no frame of reference.

Check the tone – is the material tailored to your target audience?

Here we have a simple paragraph which does not take into consideration any of the points we have just reviewed.

If you are saving for your own retirement, or your child’s college tuition, you may want to invest in savings bonds. Series EE bonds offer interest rates that are better than what most banks can offer. Bonds are also convenient to buy. You can buy EE bonds by having money deducted from your paycheck, or you can go down to your bank and pick up a few bonds, for as little as $50 each. Safety? Your bonds are backed by the U.S. government. The only way you can lose money is if you lose the bond itself. And the interest is exempt from state income taxes. You can even postpone paying federal income tax on the bonds until you cash them in, or they mature. Also: If you cash in your bonds to pay your child’s college tuition, the income from the bonds is tax free, as long as your gross income is below certain limits.

Before and After

If you are saving for your own retirement, or your child’s college tuition, you may want to invest in savings bonds. Series EE bonds offer:

Interest rates that are better than what most banks can offer.

•Convenience

You can buy EE bonds by having money deducted from your paycheck, or you can go down to your bank and pick up a few bonds, for as little as $50 each.

•Safety

Your bonds are backed by the U.S. government. The only way you can lose money is if you lose the bond itself.

•Tax exempt

The interest is exempt from state income taxes. You can postpone paying federal income tax on the bonds until you cash them in, or they mature.

•College bound

If you cash in your bonds to pay your child’s college tuition, the income from the bonds is tax free, as long as your gross income is below certain limits.

The revised text includes bulleted list and simple sentence structure with prominent and scannable text.

Share these materials with those who regularly produce content for your agency’s website.

Have an agency editor who is able to review the site with these guidelines in mind.

Wait a day or so and then print a copy of the material for proofreading. Errors are easier to catch in printed documents.

Accessibility is an important issue and needs to be taken into consideration when editing. Reading your content aloud gives you the opportunity to understand how your content can heard be by users.

Make sure you apply these guidelines to your ALT tags as well.

How can I ensure that these guidelines are being followed ?

The Chicago Manual of Style. 14th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1993.

The Gregg Reference Manual

Writing for the Web http://www.sun.com/980713/webwriting/

ITD’s Editorial Guidelines on their Portal Services page

Enterprise Web Accessibility Standards v.2.0

References