What Is a Readability Score?
A readability score measures how easy your written content is to read and understand. Think of it as a grade for your website copy, emails, and marketing materials.
The most common readability tests are the Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level. These tests analyze two key factors:
• Sentence length (average words per sentence)
• Word complexity (average syllables per word)
The Flesch Reading Ease score ranges from 1 to 100. Higher scores mean easier reading. A score of 60-70 equals an 8th-grade reading level, perfect for most business content.
The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level tells you what education level someone needs to understand your text. A score of 8 means your content reads at an 8th-grade level.
Why Readability Scores Matter for Your Business
Your customers make quick decisions about your business based on how easy your content is to understand. Poor readability drives people away from your website.
Customer Experience Benefits
Easy-to-read content keeps visitors on your website longer. When people understand your message quickly, they trust your business more. Clear writing shows professionalism and builds confidence in your products or services.
Studies show that 54% of adults in the US read at or below a 6th-grade level. Writing at this level reaches the widest audience possible.
Search Engine Benefits
Google rewards websites that keep visitors engaged. When people stay on your site longer and read more pages, search engines notice. This leads to better rankings in search results.
Readable content gets shared more often on social media. Each share brings new potential customers to your business.
Business Impact
Clear communication leads to more sales. When customers understand your product descriptions, pricing, and benefits, they buy more often. Confusing content creates doubt and lost opportunities.
Customer service calls decrease when your website explains things clearly. This saves time and money for your business.
What Impacts Your Readability Score
Several factors determine how readable your content is:
Sentence Length
Long sentences confuse readers. Keep most sentences under 20 words. Break complex ideas into multiple short sentences.
Word Choice
Simple words work better than complex ones. Use “help” instead of “facilitate.” Choose “buy” over “purchase.” Your customers will thank you.
Paragraph Structure
Short paragraphs are easier to scan. Aim for 2-3 sentences per paragraph on websites. White space makes content less intimidating.
Industry Jargon
Technical terms and industry language hurt readability. Explain necessary technical terms in simple language. Remove jargon whenever possible.
Target Readability Levels for Business Content
Different types of business content need different readability levels:
Website Content: Grade 6-8
Your homepage, product pages, and service descriptions should read at a 6th to 8th-grade level. This ensures the widest audience understands your message.
Email Marketing: Grade 6-7
Email readers scan quickly. Simple language gets your point across before they delete or move on.
Legal Documents: Grade 8-10
Terms of service and privacy policies need some complexity but should still be understandable. Many businesses fail here, creating customer confusion.
Technical Documentation: Grade 8-12
User manuals and how-to guides need more precision. Balance accuracy with clarity.
How to Improve Your Readability Score
Use Shorter Sentences
Break long sentences into two or three shorter ones. Each sentence should express one complete thought.
Choose Simple Words
Replace complex words with simpler alternatives:
• Use “show” instead of “demonstrate”
• Use “use” instead of “utilize”
• Use “help” instead of “assist”
Add More White Space
Break up large blocks of text with:
• Shorter paragraphs
• Bullet points
• Subheadings
• Line breaks
Remove Unnecessary Words
Cut filler words and phrases:
• “In order to” becomes “to”
• “Due to the fact that” becomes “because”
• “At this point in time” becomes “now”
Tools to Check Your Readability Score
Free online tools make checking readability easy:
Microsoft Word
Word includes built-in readability statistics. Go to File > Options > Proofing and check “Show readability statistics.”
Hemingway Editor
This free web tool highlights complex sentences and suggests improvements. It gives you a grade level score instantly.
Grammarly
The premium version includes readability scoring. It also suggests specific improvements to make your writing clearer.
Readable.com
Offers detailed readability analysis with multiple scoring methods. The free version provides basic scoring.
Common Readability Mistakes Business Owners Make
Writing Like You Talk to Industry Peers
Your customers are not industry experts. Avoid insider language and technical terms they would not understand.
Trying to Sound Smart
Complex language does not make you sound more professional. It makes you harder to understand and less trustworthy.
Ignoring Mobile Readers
Most people read your content on phones. Long sentences and paragraphs are even harder to read on small screens.
Not Testing Your Content
Many business owners never check their readability scores. Regular testing helps you improve over time.
Measuring Success
Track these metrics to see if better readability helps your business:
• Time spent on your website pages
• Bounce rate (people leaving immediately)
• Email click-through rates
• Customer service inquiries about basic information
• Sales conversion rates
Improved readability typically leads to better performance in all these areas within 30-60 days.
Getting Started
Start with your most important pages: homepage, main product or service pages, and contact information. Check the readability score and rewrite content that scores above grade 8.
Focus on one page at a time. Small improvements add up to big results for your business.
Remember: clear communication is good business. Your customers will appreciate content they understand easily, and your bottom line will reflect their satisfaction.
