How you format the text on your church website has a huge affect on whether people will read it and whether they will share it.
People don’t read websites the same way they read books.
When we read books, we tend to be focused and interested in the entire book. We’re willing to read long paragraphs because we want to understand the story or the subject matter of the book.
But when we read web pages, we’re usually surrounded by distractions. We tend to skim web pages, look for the specific information we’re hoping to find, and find it quickly as possible. When we come across long paragraphs we often read the first line, and unless it really captures our attention, we skip to the next paragraph.
5 Tips for Writing Skimmable Web Pages
Here are some tips that will help visitors skim your website and get the info they want.
- Use short paragraphs
- Use bold headings to help readers know what each section of text is about
- Use bullets points (or numbered bullet points like this)
- Break long pages up into multiple smaller pages
- Get to the point. Don’t ramble.
How text formatting affects search rankings
Good text formatting not only helps your existing visitors, but it will help bring new visitors to your church website.
Think about it… if you come across a web page with long paragraphs that you skim or skip over, are you likely to share that page on social media or link to it? Probably not. That’s why I say…
If your web pages are not easy to read, they are not easy to share.
If you’d like the OurChurch.com team to work with you on your church website design or church SEO, complete the consultation request form below (mobile) or to the right (desktop). If you’d like to build a church website with our WP-EZ church website builder, click and get started!
Comment and discuss:
- What steps have you taken (or will you take) to make your web pages easer to read?
Read more articles in this series: Best Christian/Church Websites 10 Point Checklist
President at OurChurch.Com
Mark has served as the President of OurChurch.Com since its founding in 1996, leading the Custom Website and Sales departments with dedication and expertise.
Over the years, he has managed hundreds of custom website, graphic design, and marketing projects for churches, non-profits, businesses, and schools.
Beyond his professional work, Mark is deeply committed to serving his community. He coordinates and packs over 700 meals each week for children through One Community Now’s Pack A Sack for Kids program, volunteers in the Children’s Ministry at Generations Christian Church, and participates in a weekly Bible study.
