Writing for the Web

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After you've reviewed your content, reflect on how your readers will use your site and what they will want to gain from it. Will they, for instance, be looking for information – and if so, what information? Will they be seeking entertainment? Will they visit your site to learn something?

No doubt you've considered your readers' needs and interests many times before reaching this point. However, a surprising number of Web site designers seem to experience a strange disconnection as they shift from writing content for their sites and considering how to design their sites. In the worst cases, their design actually undermines their purpose and goals as a writer and fails to address their readers' needs and interests. The design might look great, but it doesn't serve either the writer/designer or the readers.

As your consider your readers' needs and interests, take notes on how they will use your site. Then review your notes and create a prioritized list of what your readers might do on your site. Consider how you can design your site to help your readers use it most effectively.

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