Cut the Fat. Chunk Your Web Content.

Simple ways to create a better online experience

A big challenge with web content is displaying it in a way that is both inviting to visitors and easy for them to find the information they are looking for. If you’re new to eLearning, instructional design, or web content layout, this is likely an issue you’ve grappled with.

Chunking is a technique that allows you to convey information to your online readers more efficiently.

A well-chunked course page from the “mHealth Basics: Introduction to Mobile Technology” course available for free at www.globalhealthlearning.org

Online readers don’t read; they scan.

Presenting your content in short, clear, and specific pieces makes it easy for a reader to find the information they need and increases their odds of remembering it.

Here are three ways to chunk your content and improve your site:

1. Just give them the cookie. What’s a good way to get kids to do work? Bribe them with a cookie. What’s a good way to get your online visitors to keep reading? Don’t make them work; just give them the cookie. Visitors will stay on your page if the content they’re looking for is easy to find. Position the main message or important points at the top of the page. Bold key takeaways so the reader’s eyes are sure to catch it. Create subsections or subheadings for content that’s less important but still interesting in case a reader sticks around and decides to scroll down for more.
2. Break it up. Don’t be afraid of paragraphs, but try to keep them small. One-sentence paragraphs are okay. Phrases and fragments within a paragraph are fine, too. If your paragraph is more than three sentences long, you should probably create a new paragraph or delete a sentence. Most important — stick to one idea per paragraph. If you try to do too much, you’ll lose the reader.
3. Bullets are your friend. In the example below, which format is clearer and easier to read?

Any time you see a list within a paragraph, turn it into a bulleted list. Remember to capitalize the first letter of each list item to add that extra ‘oomf’!

There’s more to creating well-synthesized and engaging online content, but these three tips will go a long way. Chunk your content to highlight important information, improve user experience, and keep your readership.

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