Elementary

There are a number of guidelines for how to make your web content better. But let's start at the beginning and build from here

1. Web content is NOT print content.
   Copy and paste jobs will leave you branded "brochureware." It's an ugly word! Readers may need the same information but they don't want it in the same format.
   
2. Know thy audience.
   As true for web as it is for print.
   
3. Think about the TASK.
   What is your user trying to do? What are they looking for? Can they easily find it or does your content hinder them?
4. Keep it simple, stupid.
   People want to know, but they don't want to have to wikipedia everything you write. If you can combine brevity and clarity you'll have the best content!
   
5. Bullets, bullets, bullets
   Don't overdo it, but bulleted copy can make for an easy reading experience and help users quickly determine if they've found the right content.
6. Use simple, yet descriptive words for navigation headers.
   Easier said than done. Pretend you don't know what the site is about and ask yourself: Does this word mean anything out of context?--more tips on this later.
   

Content for the Supreme User

Since I've started working in web content management and website architecture I've learned one very important rule: No matter the message, it has to work for YOUR audience. So, does your site?

I've found many companies don't quite get it...they are worried about pleasing internal "clients," CEOs and the like. Web professionals have to take a stand! We need our sites to work for the user and around the user first and foremost. It's our job to make sure our clients, bosses and all those who don't quite understand the world wide web are educated.

In this blog, I hope to provide you with resources in the form of information, research, news and colleague experiences that will help you help your company.

If the customer is king, then the user is the supreme emperor. The right information in his hands could lead to more sales, better understanding of your company and a bigger ROI than the best advertising campaign.