8 Fool Proof Ways to Proof Your Web Content

Content is arguably one of the most important aspects of any website. But in order to be effective, it must make sense and be free of spelling and grammar errors. So how can you make sure your content is of the best quality? Check out these 8 foolproof methods for proofing your content!

Eliminate Distractions

When proofreading, it’s best to isolate yourself in a quiet place free of distractions. Close your office door to block out noise, turn off your music and close out of other programs or documents on your desktop so you can completely tune your focus to your copy.

Read it out Loud

When hyper-focused on writing, it’s easy to get stuck inside your own head. The task at hand and the ultimate goal take front and center, and sometimes, this can actually cloud your ability to see things as they are instead of how you think they are, which can cause errors to go unnoticed. 

By reading through your content out loud, you are able to step out of your own head and hear your message more objectively. Actually hearing the words you’ve written can put your message in a new light and increase your sensitivity to errors or unclear meanings. 

Use Spellcheck

Disclaimer: Use this one with caution, but use it, nonetheless. While it isn’t completely foolproof, spellcheck can certainly add another layer of detection when it comes to locating spelling or grammar issues that are hiding in your copy.

Temporarily Increase the Font Size

Small mistakes are hard to spot, so why not make them bigger and easier to see? Temporarily adjusting your font size so that your copy is larger will make spelling or grammar errors much more obvious and easy to spot.

Print it Out

There is something about proofreading the old-fashioned way – with a red pen and a piece of paper. Much like reading your content aloud brings in the sense of hearing, proofing your content on paper brings in the sense of touch. Involving another sense will amp up your level of engagement with the copy itself, allowing you to become more aware of the message and the way it is presented. Printing out a hard copy and giving it a read through can help you locate mistakes you may have missed otherwise.

Read it Backwards

A great way to catch spelling errors is to try changing perspectives – literally! Rather than reading your content from left to right, shake things up and read it from right to left. Doing so places more of your focus on each individual word within a sentence rather than the sentence as a whole. By looking at each word individually, you will find you are much more aware of its spelling. 

Enlist a Co-Editor

It always helps to have another set of eyes working for you, so request the help of a friend or coworker! In addition to the possibility that they will discover spelling or grammar errors, they may also offer valuable feedback when it comes to the clarity of your message. While a sentence may be technically correct and free of errors, they may have ideas on how to make your message clearer and more concise.

Take a Break and Come Back to It

If you have the time after you’ve completed writing, take a rest for a couple of hours, or even a couple of days. Then, come back to it later and proofread it with fresh eyes. Giving your brain a chance to forget a bit of what you’ve written can allow for a more objective look when you revisit your writing later. 

Need help editing? Or maybe you want to take copywriting off of your plate completely? Global Reach has copywriters on staff and ready to help you with all of your content needs. Contact us today!