Content creation and writing for the web is not the same as for print publications. Visitors often scan content searching for information; they do not read every line.

Maintaining Jones College web presence

  • Have your content proofed for spelling and grammar errors.
  • Adhere to copyright laws for text and images.
  • Ask permission of individuals in an image before using it.
  • Do not plagiarize.
  • If you notice that you have grammar, spelling, or broken link issues on a web page you are responsible for contacting the web administrator for corrections as soon as possible.
  • Maintain content and submit revisions at the start of each semester at a minimum.

Best practices for the web

  • Write clearly and concisely.
    • Minimize unnecessary words.
    • The average web visitor reads at an 8th grade reading level, all content writing should be at this level.
  • Write in active voice because more often than not, active voice is more concise.
    • In active voice, the subject does the action. (The student researched nursing classes.)
    • In passive voice, the subject receives the action. (Nursing classes were researched by the student.)
  • Organize your content for visitors who scan pages.
    • Decide the purpose or goal of the page and make sure the content supports it.
    • Use the inverted pyramid formula most important content at the top, with least important at the bottom.
    • Write meaningful headings and group content under the headings.
    • Use bullet points for easy to scan pieces of content.
    • Write short paragraphs with only one idea per paragraph.
  • Avoid long or complex sentences.
  • Count your words
    • Headings: ten words or less
    • Sentences: 20 words or less
    • Paragraphs: 60 words or less

Writing headings

  • Headings should be informative and direct attention to important pieces of content.
  • Organize your headings to present the content in a logical reading order.
  • Write headings that assist scanning visitors in finding information quickly.

What not to do

  • Do not write in all caps. Assist devices will read each letter as an individual letter. For example, “JONES” would be read as J-O-N-E-S.
  • Do not use generic text for your links. For example, the terms “click here,” “read more,” “learn more,” and “here” are not descriptive enough for a web visitor using web assist technology to understand what that link is for.
  • Do not underline. Underlining denotes hyperlinked text.
  • Do not use double spaces after end punctuation marks.