Last week I took a one night Media Bistro seminar on Writing and Editing for the Web. In spite of the stifflyingly hot temperature of the room, I managed to pick up several tips I hadn't already learned during my (very expensive) college communication career. Such as...
- The number of blogs doubles every month (wowzer!)
- Users look at a webpage in an F shape (not left to right like traditional print media)
- If you want people to comment, end with a provocative statement (OK, I kinda knew this already but it bears repeating)
- Simple, rather than cute navigation is more effective; don't make the user think too much because they'll go elsewhere (case in point - I changed some of the headers in my right column navigation)
- Most people understand how hyperlinks work so hyperlinking keyboards makes those points stand out (for example, Susan's fabulous website instead of click here to read Susan's fabulous website)
- Thanks to Google, users don't always start on the homepage (also bears repeating)
Any surprising facts you've learned about the web? Share the wealth!