Web content is key to all Website success stories. This series explores Web Content and its impact on Website success – examining the characteristics and pitfalls of bad Web content – along with effective Web content and its importance for the success of your Website.
Web Content Test 1: The Brake Test For Sentence Structure
Step 1: Perform the Brake Test Yourself
Select a page from your Website and read it quickly. If you’ve written well-structured sentences, your eyes will follow the words smoothly across the page. If you find your eyes “hitting the brakes,” (slowing or stopping on the page), then you’ve found a sticking point – a rough patch where sentence structure is either weak, or just plain wrong. While you’re reading, make a note each time your eyes slow or stop on the page. Repeat for the rest of the pages on your Website.
Step 2: Get Someone Else To Try the Brake Test
Once you’ve finished reading, enlist the help of others to perform the same test: family, friends, business partners, colleagues, employees, or co-workers can read the Web pages while performing the Brake Test. They will probably find different sticking points than you did.
Step 3: Make A Note Of Problem Pages
As you read the content from all of your Web pages, make a note of the pages where the problems occurred – and you’re done! Time to move onto Rule #2.
Coming soon – Web Content Rule 2: If your message isn’t clear, then you have a problem with reading comprehension.
