What do plain language and websites have in common? Not enough, I say. As we start a new year and think about resolutions and goals, it seems a good time to make a commitment to ensuring your website content is comprehendible – to your visitors.
Websites are as a common as cars! A little tune-up is usually all that is needed to correct problems. Offer your visitors a smooth ride by using design consistency. Support this with repeated navigational terms and they will be able to get around quickly and easily. If your web platform doesn’t include a site map function – think of it as your site’s GPS – create one. Being able to find your way around a site makes it a satisfying experience – and gives a reason to come back and to brag about your site to others.
Think of each page as a destination! Begin with clear titles and a brief, enticing description of what’s on the page. Create interest and deliver what you promise. Remember that holiday cottage you rented, or that resort that caught your attention in the brochure? Visiting your site is a journey, and your readers deserve a memorable experience – for the right reasons.
Use blogs as your benchmark. They have become one of the most popular online destinations – for both personal and professional use – because they were completely designed for users incorporating simplicity.
Here are five characteristics of blogs you – and your site visitors – can benefit from:
1. Easy search and navigation tools – blogs use categories and archives.
2. Friendly tone – speak to your readers in their language – plain language.
3. Interactivity – people want to be part of your site – forums, comments.
4. Multimedia messages – there is no doubt video is proving powerful and popular.
5. Links – make it easy for visitors to get to your pages, social media sites, or associate sites.
Now is the best time to review and re-launch your site. By using plain language guidelines, you can provide a value-added service to your visitors. Involve your users in the re-design. Get their feedback. Make 2010 a client-focus year and start with a plain language audit of your site! It will speak volumes, and keep your visitors coming back for more.
Kate Harrison Whiteside, Key Advice (keyadvice.net), is co-author of Plain Language Websites, with Cheryl Stephens. It is available via lulu.com and on Amazon. Her business, Key Advice, provides web content and social media advice, training and services. Kate moved to the UK from Canada, to be with her husband and step-son, in 1998 - when web sites and blogs were leading the online revolution. Now, a decade later, social media is the new wave! Surf’s up! Follow Kate on twitter.com/keykate; become a fan on Facebook "Key Advice" Page; or read her blog, keykate.wordpress.com.
