The importance of proofing, spelling and grammar

Or, why it's important to make every post and page on your site a masterpiece!

I'm rather a stickler for spelling and grammar, and I also offer proofreading as one of my services in my 'day job'. So I spend much of my day online reading websites and website copy for clients, and I'm very conscious that taking the time to proof an article for the web adds invaluable respect to your post.

When you've finished writing your posts, check, check and check again.

• Have you started every sentence with a capital letter?
• Have you capitalised the first letter of any product you mention?
• Have you broken your paragraphs into smaller bites, preferably with a new topic or idea in each one? Some paragraphs need only be one sentence long, especially if that sentence contains a very important idea or concept you want people to notice.
• Has the spellchecker given you the correct word? There is a world of difference, for example, in how to use 'their' and 'there'.

If your writing style is informal - and informal is far more friendly and appropriate for a blog website than sounding like you're a Fortune 500 company - then that's fine. Just make sure it's consistent across your site. I would suggest not using txt-speak such as 'u' for 'you' though. Remember, you are a subject matter expert in your niche, and you need to sound expert but also approachable and friendly.

Here at WA I am sure there would be plenty of beta readers willing to cast their eyes over your posts as this community is so friendly. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you're unsure.

Would anyone out there be interested if I posted a little series here on the correct use of apostrophes and other grammar dilemmas? Let me know.