by zoewinther - Lecture notes -

Writing for the Web Module 1 Notes

  • Good quality content
    • clear headings
    • exact statements
    • nice images
    • summaries (could stop here is we wanted/needed to)
    • chunks of information
    • links
    • calls to action
    • visuals representations of products

 

  • Elements of a good website
    • user + business needs
    • information architecture (IA)
    • interactive design
    • visual design
    • brand
    • content
    • users essential
    • navigation/tree structure
      • labels + secondary navigation
    • wireframe
    • aesthetic appeal + personality
    • content is king

 

  • Web v Print Content
    • how do people read online/print?
    • printed = physical document, read front to back, don’t rely on power source, less fatigued eyes
    • online = computer, tablet, mobile, laptop, rely on power, back light results in eye fatigue
    • Jakob Nielsen 1997: how users read the web = they don’t, they scan in F shape pattern
    • snack vs feasting

 

  • Who are your users?
    • demographics
    • personas

 

  • Understanding users
    • talking to users
    • website analytics
    • surveys

 

  • Context of use
    • where are they accessing, when and with what device?
    • eg, at lunch people might have more time to read news content compared to a 10 – 15 minute commute
    • what pieces and pages of content are people looking at at certain time?
    • if we know what devices people are accessing we can change the content that we deliver on those devices
    • all different screen sizes, etc

 

  • Understanding the business objectives
    • stakeholders
      • marketing
      • financial
      • customer service
      • subject matter experts
      • anyone with vested interest in website
    • sometimes a mobile optimized site is going to meet the user’s needs more than an app

 

  • Purpose of content
    • persuade
    • inform
    • educate
    • entertain
    • change behaviour
    • enforce compliance, esp govt websites

 

  • Accessible content
    • disabilities:
      • vision impairment
      • hearing impairment
      • motor impairment
      • dyslexia
      • colour blindness
    • don’t use content as images
    • captions on audio + video
    • transcripts
    • Microsoft Word accessibility checker
    • product descriptions

 

  • SEO
    • page title – in the browser/tab bar
    • page heading
    • keywords
    • links
    • natural language
    • topical content
    • unique content
    • URL
    • the last thing we want is to optimise for search engines but not optimise for our users

My name is Zoe, and I'm currently studying Professional Communication at RMIT. This blog was set up as a part of my coursework for Networked Media.
Similar Posts