Blogs

The key to understanding blogs is recognizing that they are simply a format for writing
and publishing online, much like a pen is for writing various things. Blogs vary widely in
style and purpose. Some are personal diaries, while others focus on news, politics, or
social issues. The chapter mainly focuses on blogs dedicated to news and information,
not personal diaries.

Example of a Blog:

Imagine a political blog called "The Daily Political" where posts are made daily about
current events and opinions. Each post includes links to news articles, interviews, or
speeches that support the blogger's views. Readers can comment on posts, and each
post has a time stamp, tags, and a link to other relevant posts on the blog. This creates a
dynamic community where people can share information, opinions, and thoughts.

Key Points:

●​ Blogs are a form of personal publishing that can be used for a variety of purposes,
from personal reflection to serious journalism.
●​ Blogging has democratized the creation of content, allowing anyone with an
internet connection to share their thoughts and contribute to discussions.
●​ Blogs are evolving journalism by engaging readers in a direct way and giving
them the opportunity to contribute to stories through comments and
crowdsourcing, as seen in blogs like Talking Points Memo.

Community-building is a critical aspect of blogging that helps create a loyal and engaged
audience. It involves encouraging interaction and conversations between readers.
Bloggers can foster this by asking for input, responding to comments, and actively
participating in the discussions they initiate. Unlike traditional print journalists, who
publish articles and move on, bloggers should continuously engage with their readers.

Here are some simple, practical blogging tips:

1.​ Regular Updates: Blogs should be updated frequently (at least once a day or every
other day), depending on the topic and audience. For example, if a blog covers
fast-moving news like a trial, it might need multiple updates per day to keep the
audience informed.​

2.​ Clear Headlines: A good headline grabs attention and gives readers an idea of
what the post is about. For example, instead of a vague headline like “Big News!”
you might write “New Law on Environmental Protection Passed in Congress.”​
 3.​ List Formats: To make complex information easier to digest, use lists. For
instance, a blog post could list the "Top 5 Ways to Improve Customer Service"
with a brief explanation next to each point.​

4.​ Live Blogging: Live blogging means updating the blog in real-time during events
like conferences or news coverage. For instance, if you're attending a tech
conference, you can blog about each new product announced, providing real-time
updates to your readers.​

5.​ Handling Corrections: Mistakes happen, but bloggers can correct them in various
ways. For example, if you accidentally write incorrect information, you might
strike through the old text and provide the correct info right next to it. This way,
readers can see what changed and why.​

6.​ Blogging Ethics: Bloggers should be transparent and honest. For example, if
you're writing a product review, disclose if you're being paid for the review or if
you're a user of the product. This builds trust with your audience.​

Writing For Web

Writing for the web requires a different approach than writing for print due to how users interact
with online content. Research shows that only 16% of users read web content word by word;
most scan the page, seeking specific information. Additionally, reading on screens is about 25%
slower than on paper, making concise and direct writing essential.

Key Principles for Effective Web Writing:

1.​ Conciseness: Aim to reduce word count by about half compared to print. For example,
instead of writing, "Due to the fact that," use "Because."​

2.​ Inverted Pyramid Structure: Present the most important information first, followed by
supporting details. This helps users quickly grasp the main points without scrolling.​

3.​ Clear Tone: Avoid marketing jargon or exaggerated claims. Use an objective,
straightforward tone to build trust with readers.​

4.​ Plain Language: Use simple words and short sentences. Avoid slang, idioms, and
complex phrases to ensure clarity, especially for non-native English speakers.​

5.​ Global Considerations: Be mindful of date formats and measurements, as they vary
internationally. For instance, write dates as "26 January 2025" to prevent confusion.​
Important aspects of designing websites

1. Navigation: Making Content Easy to Find

Good navigation ensures visitors always know where they are on a website and how to get to
other pages. It's like having clear road signs in a city.

●​ Example: Imagine you're on a shopping website. There’s a “Home” button at the top of
every page, and categories like “Clothing,” “Shoes,” and “Accessories” are always
visible. This helps you move around the site easily without getting lost.

2. Simplicity and Clarity

A simple, uncluttered design makes a website easier to use. Too many graphics, flashy
animations, or random links can overwhelm visitors.

●​ Example: A good website, like MiniUSA (a car brand's site), uses just enough visuals to
make things look appealing without being chaotic. For instance, you see a picture of a
car and a few clear options like “Explore Models” or “Find a Dealer.”

3. Repetition and Consistency

Repeating certain design elements helps users feel familiar with the website. It’s like walking
into a chain store where every location has a similar layout.

●​ Example: On news websites like C|Net, every page has the same top menu bar (e.g.,
“Home,” “Technology,” “Reviews”), making it easy for visitors to find what they need no
matter where they are on the site.

4. Graphics: Direct but Not Distracting

Graphics should enhance the user experience, not overshadow the content.

●​ Example: On Adobe.com, the visuals guide you, such as showing colorful product
images next to links like “Learn More” or “Buy Now.” However, there aren’t unnecessary
animations jumping around.
5. Designing for Different ScreensWeb designers must create layouts that
look good on all devices—computers, tablets, or phones. The site must fit
common screen sizes and avoid making users scroll in awkward ways.
●​ Example: Websites like Apple.com and Razorfish place important links and images
within a viewable area (like 850 pixels wide and 500 pixels high) to ensure users don’t
miss anything critical, even on smaller screens.

designing effective websites, focusing on simplicity, usability, and user-centered design. Let me
explain these concepts in simple terms with examples.

1. The Importance of Simplicity

●​ Example: Think about Google's homepage. It’s super simple—a logo, a search bar, and
a few links. This design makes it clear and easy to use. Google focuses on what users
want: finding information quickly.
●​ Why it works: Clutter-free pages are visually restful and allow users to focus on the
main task.

2. Planning a Website

Before you start building a website, you should plan:

1.​ Site Map: A diagram showing how pages are connected.

○​ Example: Imagine creating a map for a library’s website. The homepage links to
"Books," "Events," and "Contact Us." Each of these links to subpages (e.g.,
“Books” might lead to “New Arrivals” and “Genres”).
2.​ Storyboarding: Sketch each page's layout.
○​ Example: Draw boxes for a homepage: one for the logo, one for navigation links,
one for text, and one for images.

3. Key Elements of Good Website Design

●​ Navigation: Easy-to-follow links that guide users.

○​ Example: A clothing store's site might have clear categories like "Men,"
"Women," and "Sale."
●​ White Space: Empty areas that make the content easier to read.
 ○​ Example: If a page has too many images and text crowded together, it can
overwhelm the reader. Adding white space creates balance.

4. Usability

Websites should be user-friendly.

●​ Example: On an online shopping site, it should be obvious where to click to view your
cart or check out.
●​ Testing: Ask someone unfamiliar with your site to try using it and give feedback. This
can reveal problems you might not notice.

5. Making Pages Flexible

●​ Responsive Design: A page should look good on any screen, whether it’s a phone,
tablet, or computer.
○​ Example: On a smartphone, a website might stack navigation links vertically
instead of showing them in a horizontal row.

6. Guidelines for Content

●​ Title: The page title should clearly describe its purpose.

○​ Example: Instead of “Page 1,” use “Our Services” as the title.
●​ Tone and Writing Style: Match the audience’s needs.
○​ Example: A tech website might use technical terms, while a children’s site
should use simple, playful language.

7. Design for Different User Types

Steve Krug mentions two main types of users:

1.​ Hunters: Look for specific information, like a search bar.

○​ Example: "Where’s the search box to find jeans?"
2.​ Gatherers: Explore by clicking links.
○​ Example: "What’s available under the 'Sale' section?"

A good design should cater to both.

8. Avoiding Common Problems

●​ Don’t clutter pages with unnecessary elements.

○​ Example: If a page is packed with ads, users might leave because it’s too
distracting.
●​ Make it clear what’s clickable.
○​ Example: Links should be underlined or in a different color to stand out.