Why do people say that writing for the web is different? Writing copy is writing copy.

Lars, I agree and, of course, disgree (if I didn’t disagree, I wouldn’t be replying) re writing copy for web sites.

When it comes to puncuation, spelling, syntax, etc, yes, writing copy is writing copy no matter where it is to show up. Because many people believe this, they write the copy for their web site. Well, yes, they can just as they can cut their own hair . . but in both cases, look at the results!

When it comes to professionals writing copy for web sites, if they write it as if it were a brochure or letter or for an advertisement, even with all the grammer being 100% correct, how it is viewed is different. Hence, their copy may not do what they wanted or intended it to do. For example:

1. A web site is not the same as a sheet of paper but copy/text is done as if it were. When a web site page comes up on a monitor, the viewer only sees 1/3 (laptops) or 1/2 (desktops) of an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper.

All sites are designed in landscape mode (width more than height) but when printed, the site will not be the same as seen on a monitor.

If a site is printed off in landscape mode, it is not the normal way printed information is seen. This ends up having people handling pages horizontally which is not something most people are comfortable with.

2. Many people writing text/copy for a web site may read it on their own monitor but that does not mean that it will look the same on viewers’ monitors

3. Because sans serif looks “clean” and/or “arty” for wide blocs of text/, it is difficult to read. (Sans serif is great for headlines, etc,.)

4. As with using sans serif font, using full justification for text/copy, while it may look neat, if the block of text/copy is more than 3 lines, it adds to the difficulty reading.

5. Tails of lines or pages. This “tail” problem cannot be completely solved as different printers have different formatting codes. .

6. Even the most professional writers have a difficulty if they use text/copy from printed materials or, visa versa depending which came first.

7. Copy/text is usually written to replace verbal conversation between the seller and potential customers/clients, when it should be written for conversations potential customers/clients can use when they go to disuss/tell others what they saw/read on the web site.

For this final reason, most sites never reach the potential wanted, needed, expected.

Due to the differenses, the web or other marketing materials may not have coordinated copy/text.

Now, add to this that if one tries to incorporate technigues for SEO, it may skew up the way text/copy is written.

Alan J. Zell, Ambassador of Selling at Attitudes for Selling

RT @lars_hilse: Why do people say that writing for the web is different? Writing copy is writing copy. http://bit.ly/czzTWp

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