1. Find Your Voice: The most important part of becoming an effective communicator is developing an individual style. Your site’s content should reflect the unique personality of your library. 
2. Less is More: On the internet, never say more than you have to. You only have a small window of time with your audience; that’s why good web writers get their message across as quickly as possible. Avoid long sentences; simple sentences often pack more punch. Try to use vivid language and active verbs, and don’t be afraid to repeat key points.
3. Remember your Audience: Your patrons are people with real needs. Keep these needs in mind while developing content, and you’ll keep your patrons satisfied. Internet browsing is no longer a passive experience; blogs, chatrooms, message boards, and content management technology now give patrons the power to be heard. Learn to listen, and your site will be more than just user-friendly— it will be successful.
4. Taglines, Taglines, Taglines: Studies show that users read sites in an “F”-shaped pattern. They consume pages in two quick horizontal scans and one quick downward scan before moving on. To keep your readers’ attention, streamline information into taglines, summary quotes, and bulleted lists. That way, users can glean the important information from your site in a few quick glances.

Start with these four rules, and you’ll be on your way to developing a more efficient and user-friendly website. But remember: generating truly effective content takes both time and experience.

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