Why Writing For the Web is Different Than in Print

By Leia Mahalo

Introduction

Some experienced writer may think that writing for the web is not so different than in print. There are similarities, but there are other key factors that is different enough that print writers may rise an eyebrow.

Why writing in web is different than in print? One of the obvious answer is when you write in print you have a particular reader and though it will differ on your target audience, age group or mindset you will only have that to think about. Web writers on the other hand will have to think about that and the search engine algorithm used for their website to rank well.

Keyword density and frequency

One aspect of why writing for the web is different than in print is the use of keywords for the web. Keywords play an important part in search engine optimization. Web writers will repeat this keyword over and over in the same page. Print writers may balk in a word using so frequently, but for a web writer that is critical for the success of his webpage to rank well in the search results. It must not be overly done, although, keywords can be repeated without sacrificing on how the webpage is read. Web writers still, must take into account, that the end targets are still people, so they must do it as covertly as possible, not sounding too ridiculous, and that they convey their idea on the people who surfs the webpage. These same keywords even have to be researched as well, thus limiting the options of a web writer to convey his idea on the web. They must find innovative ways for that keyword to be incorporated in their webpage.

Other things to consider

There are a whole lot of other things to consider why writing in web is different than in print. One of them is that the web writers also have to take into account the limited volume of words they have to put in a page. This is because the web searcher spiders will cut off those in excess of its pre-programmed limit to index. There is also the Meta description tags, the title tags which will be again be favorable if the keywords appear in them. Then there is the URL. Again, this is most effective if the keyword is placed in them, but given the sheer number of websites and add the very limited number of combination of words how can you squeeze the keyword into it as to make include it?

Link is something new the print writer has to learn. This is more on the marketing side of the web page but, if you are a web writer, you must give this really learn this, as these links play a major role in the search engine optimization process.

Conclusion

Writing for the web is different than in print. On the plus side for the web writer is that there are lot of potential targets surfing the web. But, web writers have a lot to consider, you will have more limitations than writing in print. You will have to satisfy both the machine aspect (search engine spiders) and the human aspect (web-surfer). Web writers will have to think of some innovative ways to go around such limitations for them to truly excel in both ranking by the search engine and the people.

The article was written by Leia Mahalo a freelance SEO and SEM specialist working for i-trepreneur.com. If you wish to contact Leia please visit Internet Entrepreneur Blog.

Digg It! Del.icio.us Stumble This