Writing for the web: an overview [page 2/4]

[download printable pdf of article (45kb)]

Structure and navigation

You can read the pages of a website in any order you choose. The layout of a website is like a tree, with pages branching off in different directions depending on which link you click.

When you write you need to think first about the structure of your text:

• Start with the general information and progress to the detail.
• You can plan general or introductory pages that link to more detailed information on separate pages.
• Think about what information logically follows what. Each page should start with a short summary so that users can tell what is on the page even if they don't read all of it.
• You can put long and detailed background information in separate pages; similarly, you can make information that is of interest to a minority of readers available through a link so other readers don't have to wade through it.

If you have to segment a long linear story into multiple pages using links, split the information into coherent chunks that focus on a certain topic.

Linking to new pages adds interest and the reader is less likely to become bored or miss information than if they have to scroll through paragraph after paragraph of text. In terms of navigation, it is also easier to find the information you are looking for.

[previous page] [next page]