Web Content Guidelines

Content Guidelines for the Web

Section Names

In TerminalFour, web pages are called Sections. A section's name should clearly, concisely and completely describe the page’s content. The section name will appear at the top of each page within the Masthead, in the page's In This Section navigation menu and within the site structure. Each section's name should be unique as to distinguish it from others on the website.

Use simple and commonly used terminology. Avoid abbreviations, wordplay and academic jargon. Do not use department slogans or marketing phrases as page titles.

Page Organization

Website visitors skim the page until they find the information for which they are looking. Proper organization of a page’s content will increase usability and improve reader comprehension.

Important Information First

Put the most important information first. Important details should be second. Background information and information that pertains to a limited number of people should be last.

Logical Content Flow

Page content should be organized in a logical and consistent fashion. For example, organize content by subject, by time, or by audience. Organize content in a way that will make sense to the target audience. In most cases, this means ignoring internal department reporting structures and thinking, "Where would a student expect to find this information?"

Headings

Users rely on headings to identify the content of the paragraph that follows. They are also key navigational elements for users that acess the website using assistive technologies, such as a screen reader.

Use Related Sections Appropriately

The Related Section navigation menu should complement Primary content by emphasizing aspects of Primary Content, providing easy links to related resources or forms.

Content

Accuracy

Make sure that all information presented is correct. Incorrect or outdated information is unacceptable and should be updated immediately, or is subject to removal.

Include all Relevant Content

All content should be interesting and relevant to the target audience. Include all necessary information about a subject. If some important information is undetermined or unknown, state all known facts and provide a timeframe during which the other information will be added. Omit all non-relevant content.

Brevity

Be succinct. Do not include information that is unrelated to the page’s topic or unimportant details that may confuse the visitor.

Unique

Do not recreate content that already exists on another page; instead, link to the relevant page. This will help avoid conflicting and outdated information.

Spelling, Grammar and Abbreviations

Grammar and spelling must be perfect. Abbreviations should be minimally and must follow the AP Stylebook.

Short Paragraphs

Smaller paragraphs are easier to skim than larger paragraphs. Separate long blocks of copy into smaller paragraphs, each describing one topic or idea. Several short paragraphs are preferable to one long one.

Lists

• Lists are easier to skim and understand than paragraphs. Use them when describing a series or a list of steps to be taken.
• Each block of content should be preceded by a descriptive heading. Headings should be used to give the copy structure and to help navigation.
• Follow the guidelines for Page Titles above to ensure that headings are appropriate.

Copyright

All web content must comply with the Green River College's Copyright Infringement Policy. Text, images and videos that do not meet these requirements must be deleted immediately.