How Writing for the Web is Different

Much like any other profession, writing has its own set of rules, gestures and mannerisms for the different kinds of writing out there. Most people are just exposed to academic, technical and business writing. However, for the professional writer there is also the differences in writing online and writing for print. And yes, there are many differences between the two.

Using the online version of the Yahoo! Style Guide, anyone who is new to writing online can understand the basics of writing for the web. Or, you can read this article for shorter responses.

The shape of text, getting to the point and the readers eyes.
Unlike being published in print, the format of an article when writing online can be different. People have an easier time reading words in a magazine or newspaper because of the resolution on a computer screen makes the person think they are reading slower.

Also, rarely does a person actually sit and read an entire article, but rather scans it for key information. Thus, your article should be concise and to the point. Flowery and fluff writing needs to be avoided, unless the prompt asks for it. This can be hard for the writer who loves to write a lot, as it can limit their ability and make their article look choppy.

Defining your voice, knowing your audience and being compelling.
You must be simpler in your writing online. Sure, that sentence you constructed sounds genius in your head, but, will the general audience understand it or even bother to read it? Keep the longer vocabulary for technical papers. Also, be commanding with your words. If you are writing an opinion piece, do not flip-flop your opinion and apologize for your opinion in your piece. Support your words with your 'voice,' and never apologize for what you have to say.

Secondly, be aware of who you are writing for. Would your article on gardening appeal to the typical teenager? Probably not, so, it would be best not to market toward one (unless your article is about getting teens into gardening, of course). Take in mind who are you writing for and target them in the article to make it more relatable for them. When you have that in mind, being convincing or compelling is only second nature.

Setting up an easy-to-access site, interface and being welcoming for all.
If you set up a website for your writing, the mechanics of web design play a huge part. Are there any bugs hindering your website? Does the writing format look pleasing to the eye? Can everyone access your website?

Being over complicated in design only leads to less page views. Though it might look cool, some people might not be able to access your website because of it. For example, if you design your website entirely in Flash, people who use an Apple computer or laptop can't view your website. Also, some people use slower internet browsers than others and don't want to wait forever for your website to load. Design with your audience in mind, always.

Also, always double-check links and webpages; make sure they are working and look correct in most browsers.

Not being afraid.
In finality, never be afraid of what you might be writing. There's a reason why you're doing this and being hesitant because someone might not approve of it is downright silly. There are always going to be people out there with strong opinions that will want to share them online, that will never change. Look through any comments section of an article and you will see people arguing with one another, praising the article or trying to sell you something. This is normal. Just consider it more page views for you!

Writing online is more or less an experience that will have trial and error. Learning the ropes while doing it is probably the best way of going about it; other writers online can help you along the way if you just ask, so, never be afraid of the forums.

Take action of any mistakes you might make and practice whatever you're the weakest at. For me, it is usually headlines and titles for articles. However, that single problem won't stop me from continuing on--I'll just keep going until it becomes a non-issue.

Also, check out this article on finding your voice when writing. It can provide key components to help you have an effective voice on the Internet or even for exam papers and beyond.

All resources were found using the Yahoo! Style Guide online version.