Website Style Guide
Index
Content
Architecture
Graphic Design
Writing for the Web
- Presenting Text on
the Web
- Inverted Pyramid Style
of Writing
- Plain and Clear Language
- Sentence and Paragraph
Length
- Hyperlink Text
- Error Message and Form
Validation Text
Microcontent
- Alt Tags
- Page Title Standards
- Meta Tags
- Headings
- Introductory Paragraphs
- Image Filenames
Miscellaneous
- Standardised Text
- Website Directory
Guidelines
- Accessibility Guidelines
- Text as Images
Glossaries
- Glossary of Style
- Glossary of Terms
Introductory Paragraphs - Microcontent
Updated: 23rd July 2001
The first 25 words of the body text in an on-line document are classed as microcontent. If written correctly, the introductory sentences should provide the biggest insight as to what the rest of the page is about.
Search engines often look for keywords within the first 25 words of the body text – mention the topic of the page as soon as possible.
Users are also unlikely to read more than a few lines of text if they do not know if the page will provide any useful information.
This is the best opportunity to grab the attention of the user. Provide relevant information as quickly and succinctly as possible.