How To Create An Appealing Online Documentation

It is easy to assume that content is the only element users care about whenever they use a documentation. But such an assumption is absolutely far from reality. Design is one of the most crucial elements of any online documentation.
A visually-appealing documentation such as a user guide that contains relevant images and have appropriate videos embedded in it alongside with fonts and theme that aligns with the website design is always visually appealing to users and more user-friendly! Here are 5 easy tips for creating visually appealing online documentations that are user-friendly.

Embed videos

Embedding videos on your help files is one of the easiest ways to connect with your audience brilliantly. Videos are absolutely helpful especially when your goal is to explain how a product works or how to use a specific feature or for a product demo. Plain texts might be a long process of delivering your message. But when you have texts supported with how-to videos, you’ll end up with an online documentation that is rich in information and design. With a help authoring tool like HelpNDoc, you can rapidly import media elements into your documentations.

Add relevant images and infographics

The old adage that a picture is worth more than a thousand words is still absolutely relevant in technical writing. If your images, illustrations and/or info-graphics are self-explanatory enough, users may not even bother to read your texts to get a full grasp of whatever they are seeking.

Sync fonts and theme with website design

Your online documentations shouldn’t pop up like a sore thumb on your website. Rather, it should blend in with other visual elements on your site including font type, font size, and colors. Users shouldn’t feel as if they are on a different website whenever they have to use your documentation. Odds are some of your product users might have visual challenges. So make sure there’s a clear cut contrast between your website background and font size. Also, make sure your font size is large enough to make it easier for everyone to read.

Leave some breathing space

A poor user experience can make your help file a complete turn off and make users abandon it before even trying to use it. One of the easiest methods of enhancing user experience is to leave enough white space on your documentations, rather than having a congested documentation. This is the point where you have to apply the principle of keeping it simple and sweet. While you may want your product descriptions to be well detailed, keep it short, simple and straightforward because readers won’t have time for long readings. So keep your content crisp and clear.

Make it responsive

Make sure your online documentation is compatible with various devices - mobiles, tablets, laptops, etc. It’s hard to predict what device users will use to access your online help files. So your best bet is to have a responsive online documentation that users can access easily. Here’s a quick guide about publishing your documentations in the right format.

Bottom line

By embedding the right visual elements into your online documentation, creating an impressive first impression becomes easier. Having all these elements in your documentations is absolutely easy if you’re working with the right tool. With a help authoring software like HelpNDoc, you can focus only on your content and let the software do all the hard work for you. The best part? HelpNDoc is free for personal use and evaluation purpose.

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