Text is the primary content for most websites. Web designers do not typically write the text themselves, but rather receive it from the client organization. This text comes from sources like brochures, press releases, and internal documents. The designer's job is to prepare the text for the web by editing it in a word processor. This involves removing unnecessary formatting and features that do not translate well to the web, as well as proofreading for spelling and grammar errors. Permission must be obtained to use any text that the designer did not author themselves.

1. Preparing the Elements: TextGathering and PreparingText, Numbers and ImagesLinda C. Morosko, 2008 The Web Wizard’s Guide to Web Design, James G. Lengel

2. Preparing the Elements: TextPrimary source of content in most sites…TEXTStyle and display are importantThe user needs to be comfortableLinda C. Morosko, 2008 The Web Wizard’s Guide to Web Design, James G. Lengel

3. Sources for TextWeb designers don’t compose textThe organization will supply the text for the siteUsually from their communications, public relations or marketing departmentsThese folks are professional writers!The text, is often called copyYou may need to provide guidance on what text works best on Web pagesLinda C. Morosko, 2008 The Web Wizard’s Guide to Web Design, James G. Lengel

4. Sources for TextText may come from:BrochuresFlyersInternal documentsPress releasesAnnual reportsLinda C. Morosko, 2008 The Web Wizard’s Guide to Web Design, James G. Lengel

5. Sources for TextIf the document is in printed formatYou may need to scan it or retype it in order to retrieve the textMost scanners come with OCR (optical character recognition)softwareOmniPage or TextBridgeIt would be preferable to request the text in an electronic formatGenerally as a word processing fileIf the text exists on the Web:Copy and paste it from the screenLinda C. Morosko, 2008 The Web Wizard’s Guide to Web Design, James G. Lengel

6. Sources for TextYou could also interview folks and write the content yourself.Be sure they proof and approve the content before the site is publishedWarning: If you didn’t write it, you don’t own it. It belongs to the person, company or organizationWhether or not a site has a copyright notice, the content belongs to the authorYou must request permission to useLinda C. Morosko, 2008 The Web Wizard’s Guide to Web Design, James G. Lengel

7. Tools for Editing TextThe text won’t come in Web-ready formatThey are often too longWritten in the wrong style for Web communicationUse a word processing software to edit the text.Linda C. Morosko, 2008 The Web Wizard’s Guide to Web Design, James G. Lengel

8. Tools for Editing TextWord processing formats differ from Web formatsYou will need to edit the text to remove the items which don’t work on the WebLinda C. Morosko, 2008 The Web Wizard’s Guide to Web Design, James G. Lengel

9. Tools for Editing TextTurn on the Show/Hide button of the softwareRemove:Paragraph returns (only one return after each paragraph)Any extra line spacingTabsColumnsIndentsJustificationsRemove most of the formattingCheck spelling and grammar!!!!Linda C. Morosko, 2008 The Web Wizard’s Guide to Web Design, James G. Lengel