Defining Web Content Readability and Guidelines

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to define web content readability and user experience guidelines.

Text Content for the Web

  • Text and typography must be easy and pleasant to read (that is, they must be legible).
  • Content should be easy to understand.
  • Content should be skimmable because web users don't read much. Studies show that we only read 28% of the text on a web page in a best-case scenario.
  • Use high-contrast text (e.g., black text on a white background).
  • Choose an easy-to-read font.
    • Sans-serif fonts (e.g., Arial, Verdana) are generally considered more legible on the web than serif fonts (e.g., Times New Roman).
    • Use fonts consistently across all modules on all pages.
    • 14-16 points is our recommendation for body text to be best read on desktop and mobile.
  • Keep content concise.
    • Get to the point as quickly as possible.
    • Use half the word count or less than conventional writing.
    • When chunking information into blocks, focus the bulk of the content on the most important information and position it near the top of the page.
  • Break up lengthy content.
    • Use headings and subheadings that clearly contrast with the rest of the text (bolder, larger, and so on).
    • Use simple and concise headings.
    • Use keyword-rich headings to aid skimming.
    • Use bulleted or numbered lists when possible.
    • Use relevant visuals to break up lengthy content.
  • Display the company’s name visibly on the page.
  • Use digits rather than writing out numbers.
  • Source: 7 Best Practices for Improving Your Website’s Usability.

Summary

  • Text Visibility: Ensure web text is legible and easy to understand by using high-contrast fonts, consistent typography, and recommended font sizes (14-16 points) for readability on all devices.
  • Skimmable Content: Craft concise, skimmable content by using short sentences, headings, subheadings, and bulleted lists to highlight key information and aid user navigation.
  • Engaging Content: Incorporate visuals and company branding visibly while using a minimal word count to enhance user experience and engagement.

Learning

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