Use this guide to review webpages for clarity, consistency, and user-friendliness.
Most of us don't read webpages the same way we read print. We scan, skim, and jump from place to place. So it's important to write in a web-friendly style. These editorial tips are guidelines, not hard-and-fast rules.
Content essentials checklist extended
Keep it handy while editing: Download the PDF
- Include the most important information at the top
- Use active voice
- Eliminate blocks of text
- Break up text with
H2andH3headings - Provide headings that are meaningful without supporting text
- Write headings in `Sentence case`, not `Title Case`
- Present information in bulleted lists whenever possible
- Write meaningful, descriptive link text
- Use at least one visual element from the Visual Style Guide
- Include illustrations/images for clarity and/or friendliness
- Use alt text for illustrations/images that convey substantive information
- Adhere to the Shared Terminology Guide
- Re-visit your content
Learn more about the directives above: check out the Extended Checklist.
Collected content resources
- How do I style headings, bullets, tables, buttons, and more? (Visual Style Guide)
- What guidelines should I use when writing content? (Web Writing Style Guide)
- What do I call library services and locations? (Shared Terminology for Web Content)
- How do I make my webpages accessible?
- How do I write effective headings?
- Where can I find good photos and images?