Jenny Noa

There is debate among writers (and readers, frankly) regarding the proper usage of certain phrases/words relevant to our work. Is it copywriter or copy writer, Web site or website? Two spaces after every sentence or one? What on earth should be done about the serial comma? 

As an example, I just searched for "copyedit vs copy edit" and got an eyeful about how the AP Guide uses two words while the Chicago says just one will do. Merriam-Webster spells the noun as one word but the verb as two. Oh, and in Britain, it's hyphenated. And so on. 

Hmf.

I confess to not always knowing what rule falls under which official set of guidelines, only that debate exists and that passionate feelings come hand-in-hand with controversy. I would personally resist any appeal to discuss the nuances between the AP Guide and the Chicago Manual, or how they stand against the new, well-received Yahoo! Style Guide for the Web. I know they differ but I also know how to settle any issue - by looking it up. 

It all depends on what your company decides, and on this I'm quite adamant: pick one and Stick With It, for the sake of consistency and considerable time savings. I will allow you a short set of exceptions to the Rules, since there are bound to be some things that make you grit your teeth. That's just how it works.

It may seem like a small thing, but these are contentious issues and people are stubborn and like the way they've always done it. The company's voice and the look of the site all depend on it. And it all becomes more and more important as your content (and your business) grows. In the end, it's simple. You need to care. Then, and this might go without saying, make sure your writers - contract or otherwise - care too.