Editing and Proofreading Websites (e-learning)

Learn how to proofread and edit website content effectively and confidently. Each section of this course includes study notes and a commentary on the exercises, with examples and model answers where appropriate.

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About the course

In this course, you will learn how you can adapt your editorial skills and practices to work on websites and online content. You will learn techniques for accessing and marking up content, how to work efficiently with your clients or their website designers and what they will expect of you. This course is ideal for competent editors who want to extend their services to include working on website content. 

Unit 1 looks at the opportunities for working on web content and building up your client base. We introduce the other experts who make up a typical web team.

Unit 2 contains tools for communicating changes and managing content. We also show you how to build a safe working area where you can practise uploading and changing content in a live web environment.

Unit 3 explains the terminology you will meet, for example functionality, usability, accessibility and readability. We discuss your role in them.

Unit 4 puts you firmly in the readers’ shoes. You will learn about the different requirements for website text and make sure every word helps readers find what they seek.

Unit 5 shows you how to handle web content at different stages, from a client starting from scratch to last-minute ‘proofreading’ of a site about to go live. We show you how to prioritise tasks and what other services you might provide beyond checking the words.

What the course will teach you

By the time you’ve completed this training, you'll understand:

  • the opportunities for working on web content and building up your client base
  • the tools for communicating changes and managing content and how to use them
  • qualities such as functionality, usability, accessibility and readability and your role in them
  • the website readers' needs
  • how to handle web content at different stages and the range of additional services you can offer.

Course content

Unit 1: Getting the work

  • Where the work comes from

  • The people you’ll work with

Unit 2: The tools of your trade

  • Tools for communicating changes

  • Content management systems

  • Tools for organising content

  • Tools for editing in plain English

Unit 3: The qualities of a website

  • Functionality, usability, accessibility and readability

  • Your role in these areas

Unit 4: Editing for your reader

  • Find out about your reader

  • Find out what your reader wants to do

  • Provide clear signposts

  • Move words out of the way

  • Engage your reader

Unit 5: Working at different stages

  • Last-minute proofreading

  • Other web editing tasks

  • Starting from scratch

What skills and tools do you need?

This course follows British English spelling, grammar and punctuation conventions in the main. You’ll also need:

  • a strong grasp of copyediting and proofreading skills
  • fluency in English
  • familiarity with the functions of word processing programs – this course assumes use of MS Word (Office 365)

Non-member

If you’re not a CIEP member, click the button below to sign up for this course.

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Prices, timescales and upgrade points

  • Member: £170 + VAT
  • Non-member: £280 + VAT
  • Access to course: 6 months
  • Approximate study time to complete: 40–45 hours
  • CIEP upgrade points: 4

Key course features

Structured training

Structured units cover a range of topics relevant to your chosen course.

Self-paced learning

With our e-learning courses, learn when you want at a pace that’s convenient for you.

Training portal

Access your course via our user-friendly online training portal. All e-learning courses are accessible through the portal for six months from the date of enrolment.

Extra help

Additional tutor support is available on our self-assessed courses for a small fee.

Self-assessed exercises

Hone your skills with self-assessed exercises and quizzes, and mark your own work against model answers.

Certificate

Download, print and keep a certificate of completion once you’ve finished your course so you can demonstrate your commitment to CPD.

Please note: By booking onto an event or training course via the CIEP website, you are entering into a formal contract with the CIEP and accepting the following terms and conditions. Please make careful note of them, particularly regarding refunds and cancellations. If you have any questions please get in touch with us via email here.

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