How to Manage a Website

Introduction

Define Roles

Start with the P's

Be an Advocate

Communicate

Create ONE Site

Focus on Content

Keep It Simple

Don't Reinvent
  the Wheel

Teach Everyone

Start Small
  and Build

Maintain

Use "plain language" - words that will be understood by your intended audience.

Writing for the web is not the same as writing a term paper - it has to be brief, simple, layered

You'll save yourself a lot of time and anguish if you teach your organization how to write for the web before they begin creating content - it's easier to be a teacher than an editor!

For more tips on "plain language," visit www.plainlanguage.gov

Here are some important rules to follow in writing for the web:

1. Define your audience
   • Who are you writing for?
   • Don't try to make "one size fits all" - different audiences have different perspectives
   • We wouldn't try to explain a HUD mortgage insurance program to a first time homebuyer the same way we'd explain it to a lender
     
     

2. Talk it -- then write it
   • People expect the web to be informal and personal--make your writing conversational
     
     

3. Choose your words carefully
   • What words would your audience use? Before you start writing a page, make a list of the 5 words your audience would associate with that topic; then, make sure those 5 words appear on the page.
   • Explain everything in simple terms
   • Avoid acronyms and jargon
   • Write to the 4th grade reading level
   • Explain everything -- never assume
     
     

4. Be consistent -- If you use a word or term one place, make sure it means the same thing every time you use it

5. Write "just enough" -- don't overwrite
   • Web "junk" puts people off. Don't make your audience wade through extra words
   • Get to the point and stop
     
     

6. Test everything before you post it
   • Have friends or colleagues read it - see if they understand
   • Ask if the words you're using are clear and appropriate to the audience
   • If your audience can't understand what you're telling them, they won't come back - win them the first time
     
     

7. Do one final check -- for every page, make sure 3 things are clear:
   • Who's the audience?
   • What's the purpose of the page?
   • What do you want the audience to do after they've visited the page?