Website Writing Guide
This Website Writing Guide is a free, comprehensive guide to the techniques and rules about writing for the Web. It is for writers, editors and proofreaders of websites and is the official website writing guide for the Government of South Australia.
The next workshop: March 18, Adelaide. Writing for SA Government Websites. Book now.
Writing principles for the Web
How people use the Web | Writing for the Web environment | Using plain English | Layering content |
Users scan first, then read | Writing for search engines |
Writing for government websites
Fundamental do's and dont's | User testing with citizens and businesses | Composing effective headings |
Improving search-engine ranking | Increasing audience reach |
Managing content approval |
Preparing the content
Managing the writing process | Identifying the aims | Website audience classification | Organising the content |
Imparting your message | Re-using existing content | Using word processors |
Writing and presentation styles
Writing directly and succinctly | Sentence and paragraph styles | Heading hierarchy | Web page navigation |
Scrolling and page length | Making content accessible |
Presenting instructions | Writing for Google |
Capitals in headings | Hyperlink style | Acronyms | Brackets | PDFs |
Punctuation
Basic punctuation rules | Lists - bullets, numbers, hyperlinks | Capitals | Hyphens | Abbreviations |
Web page addresses | Italics | Quotations | Numbers | Dates and times | Citing references |
Grammar and spelling
Grammar | Spelling | Tricky words and phrases |
Editing and proofreading
Editing tips | Proofreading tips |
About the Guide
The need for a guide | Who we are | How you can contribute |
We welcome feedback and contributions and we suggest you subscribe to the e-newsletter for updates to the Guide.
Would some training in writing for the Web help? Not sure where to begin to improve your content? Contact us
