Quick hit: writing for mobile

There are plenty of resources online that can help you learn effective web writing techniques. However, the conscientious writer must also keep in mind that many readers are consuming content while on the go.

That is to say: whether it's an email to your boss's Blackberry or a blog post published during people's morning commutes, we must remember that many readers are viewing text on an itty-bitty screen.

Obviously, design and layout concerns are of the utmost importance when it comes to mobile usability -- things like avoiding large images, tables, and uncommon fonts. But what about the writing? Look below for my top tips!

1. Remember the small screen. Simply remembering your mobile readers is a great first step. Think about how your writing looks scaled down. Try drafting on your own mobile phone, if you have one.

2. Divide text into smaller sections. Paragraphs should be as short as possible, as they will appear much longer when condensed on a small screen.

3. Put your most important information first. This is a standard web writing best practice. Are you writing for a business? List your hours and phone number prominently. Keep your writing brief, if you can. Make sure that your title is descriptive so readers can quickly determine if they are in the right place.

4. Fatten your hyperlinks. While excessive hyperlinking should generally be avoided, if you include a link, make sure it is long (that is to say, several words) and easy to tap accurately without zooming in. For the same reason, do not put hyperlinks too close together.

5. Use short sentences. Fragments are okay. On a small screen, run-on sentences are even more difficult to follow than usual.

6. Avoid columns of text (and images). A top centred image is better than a right- or left-aligned one. To use my two most recent posts as examples: my post about mistakes demonstrates better mobile layout than does my post about failure and accountability.

7. Write customized, concise URLs. Copying or typing in long URLs is a pain on most mobile platforms. Make it easy!

8. Use sub-headings and logically-ordered lists. Not only will sub-headings make your content more attractive to search engines, they will make it easier for mobile readers to digest your content.

Do you have any additional best practices to share? Hit up the comments!