What’s the best kind of language for your content?

There are many different ways to write for the web. But good writing comes down to basically this: knowing your audience and understanding how they will read your content.

And the fact of the matter is that most online readers prefer a conversational tone at a grade 9 reading level.

I know, I know. As a professional in the field, it’s tempting to use impressive vocabulary to “wow” your readers. But it really just turns them off. They’re here for information. Make it as easy as possible for them to digest, and they’ll stay.

So please, leave supercalifragilisticexpialidocious for your diary (that means wonderful, by the way).

If you're writing content for your website it's important to ensure that you write in a way that is personable and engaging with your audience. Many people prefer the informal 'you' over more formal language, but if you are targeting an academic crowd or businesses then using more formal language may be better suited to help them understand the value of your content.

You also need to consider readability, if you are targeting two different audiences with the same content it may be best to use different language to communicate with each group in a way that is effective for them. Using simple words and sentences will help educate your readers on their topic but this won't work for everyone, you need to tailor your language carefully.

The important thing to remember is that different people prefer different ways of writing. This means you should write in a way that works for you! If informal language works, use it. If you find yourself struggling with complex words or phrases then perhaps try something easier to read. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to writing web content, just be aware of your audience and write in a way that you are comfortable with.

The best copywriters can adapt to different audiences and switch up their writing personality. But in the best interest of your business, it’s always a good idea to hire someone who naturally prefers your desired tone.

If a writer has a formal tone by default, but you’re looking for more casual and fun content/copy, it’s better to hire a writer who’s naturally more conversational with their writing, for less problems in the long run.