Writing Principles for the Web

Writing Outwardly

YouTube

YouTube’s homepage draws you in with personalized video recommendations, placing trending content and videos based on your viewing history front and center. The platform saves you time by offering content that matches your interests, so you don’t have to search or browse through endless options. By showcasing short video previews and catchy titles, YouTube makes it easy to decide what to watch next. This setup ensures that the platform feels relevant and engaging, keeping users interested without overwhelming them with unnecessary details. The user experience is simple, allowing for effortless browsing that encourages continued interaction with the site.

Not Burying the Lead

The New York Times

The New York Times is a great example of getting straight to the point. Their homepage displays key headlines that grab attention right away, focusing on the most important news stories. They don’t waste time with lengthy introductions or excessive details—everything is straightforward, letting the headlines do the talking. This approach ensures visitors immediately know what the big stories are without needing to scroll or search. The site makes it easy to stay informed by highlighting the key takeaways up front.

Not Saying Too Much

Apple

Apple’s product pages are designed with minimalism in mind. They keep the text short and impactful, relying on high-quality images and simple language to convey their message. Instead of overwhelming the user with information, they focus on a few key points that highlight the product’s main features and benefits. The clean, uncluttered design keeps the user’s attention on what matters most—the product itself. Apple’s less-is-more approach exudes confidence, allowing the products to speak for themselves without too much explanation.

Strong Call to Action

CrumblCookies

Crumbl Cookies uses its hero section effectively, featuring an engaging video of the week’s featured cookies right at the top of the homepage. This video immediately draws visitors in, showing them the latest offerings with mouth-watering visuals. The large “Order Now” button placed directly on top of the video pushes users to take action immediately, making it easy for them to buy with just a click. This is an example of a clear, simple call to action that leaves little room for confusion. Crumbl’s strategy revolves around convenience, tempting customers with eye-catching visuals and an easy path to purchase.