Jakob Nielsen's findings on "How Users Read on the Web" is a really good read because you can tell he has done his research, most of the common things that people do when reading online was spot on, well to the way i traul aroun the net anyway! I definitely don't read, i do sure Scan though! I scan everything, pages, blogs, intricate websites until i find what i'm looking for, if i haven't found what i am looking for within a matter of minutes i'm on to the next hyperlink or website i can find. I also scan when i'm searching the engines also, for instance, when i type a few keywords into Google, if i haven't found a good credible sight with exactly what i'm looking for on the first page i won't even bother looking next to the second page, i would just re-type in other keywords. People don't have time to search and read everything, users use keywords, sub-headings etc like Jakob explained, therefore writing online needs to be to the point, grab the readers attention and be short, if they want to divulge further, put in place hyperlinks with further information, the writing needs to stand out and be credible, otherwise after a few seconds the user is of to the next station. People really do have standards when reading on the internet and Jakob describes them exactly! Even though Nielsen's paper is written in 1997 i do believe that it is very much current in the way users grab there data.
Credibility is so important, the user needs to be able to trust the information written & website before the user gets comfortable with returning to the site for repeat business or using there information.
The example that Jakob used when comparing the same data on difference sites, prooves that short and straight to the point written data is most popular as the reader is fulfilling their objectives quickly without having to look elsewhere or getting a lazy eye by viewing much data.
Moving on to Web Teaching
Now this website gives great information but for me i can you see that it is long and bland? I really had to concentrate and get into reading it, if this wasn't part of the task , i probably would have moved on by now because of it's writing style.
I then checked into Dennis Jerz's website here
Most of the links provided by NET11 were along the same lines except for some minor differences.
The 5 most important RULES for writing online goes to...
1. Writing online must be written in scanable text - this is the key to getting your readers to stay put on your site long enough to get the information they need without moving onto your competition
2. Write in the language & style of your target reader - Keep it informal/formal based on what information your writing about and who the target reader is, that way the reader can connect with the writing style and feel in line with the text
3. Summarise, Summarise, Summarise - Use bullet points, short paragraphs, pictures, diagrams and summarise your information within short paragraphs to ensure the reader does not get bored & lazy & leave your site. The reader wants easily accessible quick information, they do not have all day to search for information in todays busy society. Does to much data stear away the user? I think so, one of my tips would be to NOT include to much data, add a link if they want to read further!
4. Use a inverted pyramid writing style - Start with your findings/conclusion, than progress with additional information that backs your conclusion, and finish with the more intricate details last. Almost doing things backwards.
A good link to compare normal writing styles with inverted-pyrmaid styles can be found at Great Web Design Tips.
5. Highlight heywords for important information - This also helps with the scanable text to ensure the reader finds what they are looking for without much effort. This will also make your text stand out and grab the readers attention
Creating a webpage that will keep its value is not easy, having the correct writing style is key to a successful website!!! We need to ensure we have met all the readers needs & wants, ultimately they want to be fulfilled after checking out your site so ensure that it is appealling to the reader.
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