Terms to Avoid

Writing well for the Web means taking advantage of the options the Web offers, but at the same time, not calling attention to the Web. "Click here," "follow this link," and "this Web site" are just a few self-referential terms to avoid.

Generally, if the words or phrases are specific to Web use, then they are probably words to avoid. A good test of web-term overuse is to print the page out, read it, and ask yourself if it makes as much sense on paper as it does on screen.

You can't eliminate all references to the Web, especially when giving browser-related instructions. However, a common error to beware of is assuming that everyone reading the page uses the same browser. For instance, instructions on how to download a file are different from browser to browser. Make sure that your instructions are detailed enough to be understood without being specific to browser version or brand of browser.