Web Writing: Guidelines and Best Practices

Writing for the web requires a different approach than writing for print. Web users typically scan pages for key information, rather than reading every word. To ensure TMCC’s website is clear, accessible, and user-friendly, web content contributors should follow these guidelines.

Person on laptop with gear

Know Your Audience

Before creating content, consider who your website serves—students, prospective students, faculty, staff, the community. If your site has multiple audiences, determine which group is primary and focus on their needs first. Well-structured content ensures that all users can quickly find relevant information without confusion.

Organize Your Content for Easy Navigation

Review existing content and determine what is most important for your primary users. Prioritize and group information into logical sections to make it easier to navigate.

Each page should be standalone and self-explanatory—avoid assuming visitors have prior knowledge or have read related pages. Clearly present all necessary details in a concise manner so users can quickly find what they need.

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The workshop fee and dates and times are all listed below. You should contact Betsy if you want to know if there have been any changes made. ** NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN!!!! ** Workshops will be held at TMCC in the Red Mountain Building in Room 404 at TMCC beginning from 8 to 1. You may reschedule two times. Complete the application by going here. Or come by the office sometime or call Betsy. The phone number is 673-7700 and the Cost is $50. Pay to Board of Regents at the cashier with a check or money order. Dates are January 5 and November 9. TMCC Staff can get in free with id. Classes are limited so register and apply NOW! Registration closes on March 9 and NO LATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED!

What you need to know before you apply: You will need to have the following with you when you register: your student id and number, your receipt from the cashier and your completed and SIGNED application forms.

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Workshop Information

Classes are limited and registration closes on March 9, so register now! No late applications will be accepted.

Requirements

You will need to have the following items with you to complete the registration process:

  • ID: your current student ID
  • Proof of Payment: your receipt from the TMCC Cashier's Office
  • Application: your completed and signed application form

After registering, if you are unable to attend, you may reschedule up to two times.

Dates and Locations

Workshops will be held on Jun. 5 and Nov. 9 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at TMCC in the Red Mountain Building in Room 404.

Cost

The cost for this workshop is $50. No refunds will be given. Note that workshop fees are waived for TMCC staff with proper ID. Please submit payment to Accounting Services/Cashier's Office in the form of a check or money order made payable to the Board of Regents.

Please contact us for any questions you may have.

Keep It Simple

Web users prefer quick access to information. Long paragraphs and excessive details can be overwhelming and discourage engagement. Keep your content clear and direct by:

  • Using short sentences (20-25 words max).
  • Breaking up long paragraphs (3-5 sentences per paragraph).
  • Using headers and subheaders to structure content logically.
  • Writing in active voice (e.g., “Students love TMCC” instead of “TMCC is loved by students”).
  • Avoiding jargon, acronyms, and complex terminology—write as if you are talking directly to the reader.

Introductory text should be brief and relevant. Instead of generic greetings like "Welcome to our department's website", provide useful information that immediately tells visitors what they will find and why it matters to them.

Use Links Effectively

Links should be descriptive and meaningful—avoid vague phrases like "click here". Instead, integrate links naturally within the text:

Example:
Wrong: "To find out more about the Print Policy, click here."
Right: "For more information, view the Print Policy.”

Avoid listing long URLs in the text.

Example:
Wrong: "Visit the Admissions and Records website at https://www.tmcc.edu/admissions"
Right: "Visit Admissions and Records"

To maintain an uncluttered design, only link the first instance of a term on a page. Multiple links to the same resource can be distracting.

For contact information, link to departmental contact pages rather than individual email addresses. This ensures links stay up to date even if staff members change.

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COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Writing for the Web section has a lot more information. To find out more, click here.

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See Also: Writing for the Web's Frequently Asked Questions section for more information.

Headings and Bullet Points: Making Content Scannable

Headings serve as visual guideposts for users scanning a page. Use them to organize content and include keywords for better search engine optimization (SEO).

Remember to use Proper Casing for your headers and subheaders.

Bullet points are great for readability but should be used strategically. Overuse can make pages feel fragmented, so balance them with paragraph content.

Avoid extreme bulleting—nesting too many levels of bullet points can confuse readers.

Use bullet points to highlight key details and make scanning easier.

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Web writing standards

Writing content for the web can be a challenge for anyone, and a particular challenge to those tasked with content contribution who are accustomed to writing for print in an academic environment. Students who want more information about how to write content for the TMCC website should go here https://www.tmcc.edu.

** LEP Guidance for students ** LEP Guidance sets forth the compliance standards that recipients of Federal financial assistance must follow to ensure that their programs and activities normally provided in English are accessible to LEP persons and thus do not discriminate on the basis of national origin. The Coordination and Review Section is responsible for government-wide coordination.

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Web Writing Standards

Writing content for the web can be a challenge for anyone, and a particular challenge to those tasked with content contribution who are accustomed to writing for print in an academic environment.

To find more information about how to write content for the TMCC website please visit our website. Please note that we are in the process of developing a handbook for students that will be available on March 1, 2014.

LEP Guidance

Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Guidance sets forth the compliance standards that recipients of federal financial assistance must follow to ensure that their programs and activities normally provided in English are accessible to LEP persons and thus do not discriminate on the basis of national origin.

The Coordination and Review Section

The Coordination and Review Section is responsible for government-wide coordination. This section serves as the federal repository for the internal implementation plans that each federal agency is required to develop, to ensure meaningful access to its own federally conducted programs and activities.

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Welcome to the TMCC applied anthropology program. Our goals are to provide quality, affordable, and accessible educational experiences in anthropology; serve the needs of residents and employers within the community; promote an appreciation of the value inherent in culturally diverse environments; and provide a para-professional labor force for the changing field of anthropology worldwide.

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Welcome to the TMCC Applied Anthropology program. Our goals include:

  • Providing quality, affordable, and accessible educational experiences in anthropology.
  • Serving the needs of residents and employers within the community.
  • Promoting an appreciation of the value inherent in culturally diverse environments.
  • Providing a para-professional labor force for the changing field of anthropology worldwide.

When to Use PDFs vs. HTML

PDFs should only be used when necessary. While they are useful for printable materials, they can be difficult to access on mobile devices and are not always screen-reader friendly.

Use HTML web pages instead of PDFs when:

  • Content is short, non-graphical, and easy to break into sections.
  • Information needs regular updates (PDFs are harder to revise).
  • Users need quick access to the content without downloading files.

PDFs may be appropriate for manuals, handbooks, and complex documents with extensive formatting and screenshots. At this time, it is recommended that all committee/meeting agendas and minutes be posted as PDF documents.

If a form can be submitted electronically it is always better to make it an HTML form vs. a PDF form. 

If unsure, contact Web Services to determine the best format.

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