Whether you’re a seasoned digital guru or a newbie to the web editing world, these guidelines will help you build a useful and usable website that effectively shares your story.
Aligning your website with best practices is about more than doing the right thing. These guides will help your site with:
- Accessibility: Is the information — including text, images and videos — accessible to all users, including people who have disabilities or use assistive technologies?
- Search engine optimization (SEO): Can search engines like Google find the site and determine what it’s about so it ranks well for relevant searches?
- User experience and expectations: Is the site easy for people to use and understand? Does it anticipate and accommodate users’ needs? Does it follow established web standards that people are already familiar with?
Ready to get started? Let’s dive in …
Topics below are in alphabetical order. If you can’t find what you need, send us a note!
Accessibility (a11y): Make your site accessible and inclusive
WashU websites should be accessible to people of all abilities, including people who use assistive technologies.
Buttons: Call attention to important links
A button helps a critical call to action stand out from other content on the page.
Checklist: Find quick ways to improve your site
Check through these items to identify high-level best practices and content needs for your site.
Content Strategy 101: Identify your goals and your audience’s objectives
An effective content strategy requires thinking through the goals of your site, why people may visit, and how to guide visitors through your content.
Content Strategy 102: Organize pages for users’ needs
Arrange content in an information architecture (IA) that is intuitive for your target audience.
Flyers & posters: Create a web version of text-heavy image files
In addition to uploading a flyer, convert its content to web-based text and images.
Google rankings: Optimize your content for search engines
Search engine optimization (SEO) can increase your site’s visibility by helping your pages rank higher in search engine results.
Headings & titles: Guide users with scannable content
A consistent approach for page titles and subheads creates a cohesive experience across your site.
Homepage: Create a clear path for your site’s visitors
Consider both user objectives and business objectives when developing the content and layout for your homepage.
Links: Make links clear, convenient and reliable
Descriptive, relevant links are kind to your users. You’ve done the work to find the right page; all the user has to do is click and go.
Pages: Build pages like a boss
Professional-grade pages balance content needs with a site’s structural hierarchy.
Style guide: Check up on WashU editorial standards
The style manual helps us independently develop communications that collectively build the university’s reputation.
Writing for the web: Adapt your content for digital platforms
User expectations, fussy search engines, countless devices, oh my! These and other factors require a tailored approach to writing for the web.
Need more guidance? Contact our digital experts »