Creating engaging website content involves several crucial aspects. First, you must brainstorm and suggest topical ideas that resonate with your audience.

Secondly, it is vital to tailor your content to your specific audience and ensure that it is easily understandable. This is where readability comes in, a factor that is often underestimated but crucial in the content creation process.

Simply put, readability refers to the ease with which users can navigate through your text. A high level of readability indicates that your content is clear and easy to understand, while poor readability means that your content is more difficult to understand.

Fortunately, there are numerous approaches you can take to improve this aspect of your content and make it more user-friendly.

What is readability (And why does it matter)?

Assuming you want your content to reach a wider audience, you can spend considerable time researching the latest trends and improving your search engine optimization (SEO) tactics.

However, achieving maximum visibility requires taking into account the accessibility of your website. Accessibility means ensuring that your site is usable by everyone, including people with disabilities or temporary limitations. Several aspects contribute to the creation of a fully accessible site.

Simply put, including accessibility features on your website should be motivation enough to improve its usability. However, it's worth noting that refining the readability of your content can offer even more benefits. The key lies in crafting well-written copy that elevates the user experience, leading to better search engine rankings and overall website performance.

That it does not constitute readable content

In case you are unsure about the readability of your content, a useful tool to use is Yoast. This tool is based on established formulas, including the renowned Flesch Readability Test. Widely recognized as one of the most reliable readability formulas, it is often used as a benchmark.

Under this system, the readability formula is:

RE = 206.835 - ( 1.015 x ASL ) - ( 84.6 x ASW )

"RE" stands for Reading Ease, "ASL" stands for Average Sentence Length, and "ASW" refers to the average syllables per word. The calculation weighs these three factors and gives you a final score based on them. Anything between 90-100 is considered very easy to read. A score of 30 or less, on the other hand, means your content is likely to confuse many readers.

At first, this topic may seem overwhelming and you may not be sure how to proceed. However, we have put together three strategies that can improve the readability of your website. These tactics are available for you to implement immediately, making your job less challenging.

1). Use short sentences and paragraphs

As a general rule, long sentences can be difficult to follow. Therefore, it is important to review your content before posting. Look for long sentences and try to shorten or split them when possible. A useful tip is to keep an eye on the number of commas used.

If you find yourself using more than two in a sentence, it may be advisable to break it into two shorter sentences. Also, remember the "one idea, one sentence" rule which suggests that each sentence should only convey a single, specific idea.

To avoid reading fatigue, it is important to avoid long paragraphs. Including too many line breaks is a common indicator of this problem. In general, a paragraph that is shorter than 200 words is considered easier to read. Shortening your sentences is an effective way to achieve this.

2). Distribute your headers strategically

Headings play a crucial role in the content of your website. They serve as a tool to break up and organize long blocks of text, making them less daunting for readers. In addition, headings ensure smooth transitions from one idea to the next.

It is important to use headings to denote each section of your web page or blog post. In addition, it is essential to code these headings correctly by implementing

tags and differentiating each heading level. By doing this, readers can identify when a new section and topic is introduced.

The inclusion of well-defined headings improves accessibility for visually impaired users. Clear headings are crucial to making online content accessible to people who use assistive devices such as screen readers.

Screen readers are commonly used by people with visual impairments to read online content, and without clear headings, content can become unreadable. Therefore, including many well-defined headings is essential to improve the accessibility of online content.

3). Select your sources carefully

The branding of your website serves as a reflection of your company identity or values. This can make the creative process overwhelming. While being original is great, it's crucial to make sure the fonts used are legible.

While unique or eccentric fonts may look visually appealing, they lack functionality if visitors cannot understand them correctly. To avoid this problem, it's best to opt for commonly used fonts like Arial or Georgia for the main text of your content. These may not be the most exciting selection, but they serve an important purpose.

Conclusions

As a website owner, it is crucial to prioritize the readability of your content if you want to achieve success. Poor readability can drive potential visitors away from your site. Conversely, improving readability can ensure that your content is accessible to everyone.

In this article, we'll delve into three essential techniques for improving the readability of your website. Let's take a closer look:

1. Use short sentences and paragraphs throughout.
2. Distribute headings strategically, to structure your writing.
3. Select the font you use carefully and make sure it is a readable size.