Merry Bruns: Web Editors Toolkit

A motley selection of resources for web writers and editors.

Credibility Evaluation Resources - NEW!
Studies and resources for evaluating site credibility.

Blogs and RSS
Resources, getting started, business blogs and why you might want one.

Ragan Web Content Report

This is an excellent monthly report published by Ragan Communications in Chicago. It's fee-based, so please contact them about rates. I find this an intelligent and insightful periodical.

(from their site)
" The Web Content Report is a monthly source of information for people who create and maintain the content of their organization's Web site. Each issue provides practical advice and tips from your peers on topics such as: how to effectively generate and maintain the content on your site, work better with internal staff, attract visitors, monitor and evaluate the traffic and much more.
Each issue contains practical, proven techniques from your peers and industry experts, reviews of four sites and what's working on today's sites."

Poynter Institute for Media Studies- Writing and Editing section.
Roy Peter Clark writes a weekly series of short essays primarily aimed at journalists, but excellent for web writers, too.

Are you a content management professional? Join CMPros, and gain from a community of experts in your field. We have meetings, seminars, and a LOT of resources for you.

The National Cancer Institute's
"Research-Based Web Design & Usability Guidelines"

Order 2006 updated edition! (NEW)

The NCI guide is a first: all guidelines are based on empiric research, and illustrated with defining sites. A fabulous resource for developing your own usability guidelines.

Usability.gov- you don't have to work for government to appreciate the terrific information and resources on this site.

"Usability.gov is the primary government source for information on usability and user-centered design. It provides guidance and tools on how to make Web sites and other communication systems more usable and useful. Topics include:

* a step-by-step guide on how to plan, analyze, design, and usability test a highly usable Web site;
* quick access to the latest usability methods;
* an introduction to usability, how to get started, and what it costs;
* the latest research-based Web design guidelines;
* templates and examples for assessing audience needs, writing a usability test report;
* and much more

Last update: 9/3/07