Browse through any online news service, and you’re likely to spot at least one. Hopefully, this site does not contain any.

Spelling errors and misuse of words are two simple issues that can create a devastating first impression on a visitor to your site, or (worse still) reader of your sign/brochure/card. While the occasional typographic error will be forgiven by most readers, the blatant misuse of words looks unprofessional, and can undermine confidence in your organisation.

As a personal plea from a literary pedant, use of spell checking should be a routine task before placing any text online. Any modern word processing program will include a spell-checker, and a quick manual check for grammatical mistakes or typographic errors is a simple, hopefully painless, courtesy for your readers.

Some of the worst offences are listed below, and yet frequently make their way into circulation.

Its and it’s (quick rule: it’s = it is)
Correct use: If you have a website, it’s advantageous to fix any errors in its content.

Your and you’re (quick rule: you’re = you are)
Correct use: Your site is fine, so you’re not compelled to fix anything;

Whose and who’s (quick rule: who’s = who is)
Correct use: Who’s supposed to catch such errors? Whose job is it?