Reading online is different than reading on paper.
You may run across blogs or web pages with long sentences. Or full paragraphs. That’s how we were taught to write in school.
But it’s hard to take in all that detail online.
Readers scan web pages and blogs. They need shorter sentences. Shorter paragraphs.
And more white space.
Content that looks correct on paper often needs to be tweaked online.
Keep Sentences Short
Shorter sentences make content easier to follow.
One idea per sentence is enough.
If a sentence sounds long when you read it out loud, it’s a good idea to shorten it.
Don’t be afraid to cut sentences into pieces.
And put them on separate lines.
It’s okay to start a sentence with and or but. Especially online.
Format Helps Too
To help readers scan your online content, give them enough white space.
Break up paragraphs more than you think you need to. This helps readers pause and breathe.
Bullet points are a reader’s best friend online:
- Easy to scan.
- Easy to understand.
- Easy to refer back to.
They’re often easier for you to write too.
Headings also make online reading easier. Most people think of headings for SEO. But headings also help readers find what they need quickly. And find it again when they need to check back.
Short Sentences Help Your Website Visitors
When people visit your online content, they’re looking for answers. For help.
They’re not trying to read. They’re trying to find information. They need clarity.
Keeping sentences short will help keep visitors on your page, on your site, so they can find what they need.
If it’s a good and helpful experience, it’s likely they’ll be back.
Writing shorter sentences doesn’t mean your content is less useful. It just means your visitors have a better experience.
You’re taking helpful information and presenting it in a way that’s easy to read and remember.
You can still put your best effort into creating helpful content.
By writing in a way that means less effort for your visitors.
Janet Eriksson 