Blog Readability Checklist
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Heatmap shows how we tend to read in “F” fashion
Did you know that there are two kinds of online readers?
1. Methodical Readers: They read the posts from top to bottom without a lot of scanning.
2. Scanners: They scan headlines and pictures and other display elements without reading all the text.
And research shows that both these groups’ numbers are pretty much even. About 50% of all online readers are scanners and the other 50% are methodical readers.
Are you catering to both these type of readers?
7 Tips to Improve Your Blog Readability
1. Make sure your paragraphs aren’t too wide. 500 to 600 pixels is a perfect paragraph / column width.
2. Use a lot of headlines and subheadlines.
3. Use language that is easily understandable. (But don’t try to talk down to your readers.)
4. Pictures with captions are an excellent idea.
5. Use bullet points. Bullet points are widely read by both: methodical readers as well as scanners!
6. Add a Summary at the end of your extremely long posts to improve peoples understanding of your posts.
7. Use alternative story formats to increase readability. Questions and Answers work brilliantly online. So do blocks of quotes.
Credit: Photo by Travellin’ Librarian
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That heatmap really does show where the readers focus is. I think I have the major points covered but I do think that one hot spot in the top left corner is an area most blogs, mine included, could be putting the material they want to make sure the consumer sees. - Ashley
Posted 16 Nov 2007 #
Hi Ankesh,
NxE sent me here and good thing too. I’m learning the blogging craft so it’s good to read great posts like yours. Awesome heatmap thats got me rethinking my blog. Thanks.
Posted 22 Nov 2007 #
Great article.
I’ve just run into your blog while stumbling through some pages and I must say it’s pretty interesting. I am running blog of similar content on my own, so if you are interested we could get connected and try to benefit from each other experience.
Btw, keep up the good work.
Posted 24 Nov 2007 #
This is excellent information Ankesh. I have used the heatmap tool Click Density http://www.clickdensity.com/ in the past and found it to be incredibly useful… Starting at $5.00 per month for 10,000 stored clicks - it’s well worth the price. Your post is a great reminder for me to add it to one of my new sites.
Christine
Posted 02 Dec 2007 #
As always, you’ve brought forth some great information! I love these points and will use them in the future
Posted 30 Mar 2008 #