Did you know that there are scientific ways to get your website read? Studies have proven that website visitors interact with online content differently than with print. Understanding the formula for writing for the web is key to capturing potential customers online.

Optimizing your website to attract the Internet-savvy customer takes some simple techniques; executing them well will give your website what it takes to beat the competition and grow your business. Here are some of them, and why they work:

Keep it Simple

Tracking studies prove most readers skip right over large blocks of text.  For important information that customers need to see, use short paragraphs and plenty of white space to draw eyes in and make for easy reading. Stick to one idea or concept per paragraph to keep content focused, or incorporate bulleted lists for dense information that can’t be pared down.

Connect with Links

Use links to outside sources within your online text to: (a) show readers that you've done your homework, and (b) take them directly to information that backs up your position and paints your organization as more credible. Keep readers from straying away from your site with links that open in a new web browser. Links also act as visual stop signs that help prevent readers from skimming content - if links aren't an option, use bold text where appropriate to achieve the same effect.

A Taste, Not a Meal

A Taste, Not a Meal

Viewers only read about 20% of the text on the average page - eliminate everything that doesn't add value and increase the potency of your message. Web readers are browsers; they look for a little information about a lot of topics. A web page shouldn't offer comprehensive data or expect detailed reading from web visitors: Keep content informative, but not exhaustive and use links for value-added information.

Catch Their Eye

Eye tracking studies find the same results time and again: readers scan web pages. But where do they look? Viewing patterns generally resemble a capital F: readers scan across the top of the page, then scan the left vertical column followed by a small scan across the middle of the page about halfway down. Place vital information, headlines and bulleted lists where viewers are looking to ensure they get attention.

Every customer and web user is unique, but science has proven they have website viewing preferences and habits in common. Contact 5th business today to learn how to maximize your website's ability to engage visitors - and keep them coming back.