Transcript Best Web Practices overview for writing web

An Introduction to Content Management
By the end of the session you will be able to...
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Explain what a content management system is
Apply the principles of 'writing for the web’
Create and manage web pages and attachments
What is Content Management?
What is Content Management?
What is Content Management?
The Jadu CMS Document Editor
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Non-technical word
processing
Familiar tools and functions
Copy and paste
Create links
Apply styles
Add images
Format text
Much more…
Categories and Navigation
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Categories are essential to make sure that your information is filed in
the right place.
The web site uses navigation categories to index and display
information.
It is important to understand what categories your content should be
given as related content (FAQs, Downloads etc) will be automatically
joined together.
Guidance will be provided to help you place your content
appropriately.
Metadata
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Metadata is used to ‘label’ information
Metadata is simply relevant keywords
It is used to describe the information so that other web sites, search
engines and the website itself understands what the information is.
Think about alternative terms, abbreviations, old terminology,
acronyms, etc.
It is easy to do!
It must be done for ALL content
Preparing Your Content
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Write content in Word or similar
Don’t spend too much time formatting - as all formatting can be done
in the Jadu Control Control Centre
Be brief and concise where you can
Apply the principles of ‘writing for the web’
Ensure that any additional resources (e.g. images, etc.) are available
Give yourself time
Why is ‘writing for the web’ different from print?
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How do you read a webpage?
Not the same as reading a book / magazine
80 percent of users scan the page rather than read word for word
Reading from computer screens is 25 percent slower than reading
from paper
Tricks to Use
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Punchy page titles
Break up content into ‘bite-size’ paragraphs
Use bulleted lists
Simplify for understanding
Start with the conclusion
Current, accurate and credible
Be Clear and Concise
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Web pages should generally have half the word count of printed
pages. If the word count is cut by half, usability improves by around 50
percent. Similar improvements apply if the content is easier to scan.
Writing concise copy can take more effort than writing a piece three
times as long but the effort is worth it.
Delete words - if it is possible to delete a word then delete it. The
same applies to phrases and sentences. Cut anything that is
superfluous.
Write for the reader - keep the reader in mind at all times and
remember that they are in a hurry to find information.
Elements of a Good Webpage
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Introductory paragraph
Headings
Sub-headings
Short paragraphs
Short sentences
Bullet points
Contact details
Enhancing Your Content
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Are there any web pages either on your site or others that are relevant
to your topic?
Are there any frequently asked questions relating to your topic?
Are there any related downloads?
Should there be a link to an online application / feedback form?
Spellchecking and Proof Reading
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Checking your work is vital since spelling mistakes and bad grammar
give an unprofessional image and can slow readers down.
The Spellchecker won’t spot words that you’ve spelled wrong but that
are still words, e.g. when you write ‘form’ instead of ‘from’. This is why
it is important to get all your work proofread.
This may be easier if you take a break first and read a printed version
of the page.
Try to be as objective as possible and cut down on any unnecessary
words or phrases. Read your copy once from the top down to check
meaning, then read it again from the bottom up to check for errors.
Rewrite anything that is unclear.
Get a second person to proof your work, as you might find it difficult to
spot your own mistakes.
Keeping Your Pages Updated
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Remember - all the web pages you create need to be maintained and
if appropriate removed and archived.
The main objective online is to provide College-focused information
that is accurate, useful and current. Information that is out of date or
incomplete reflects poorly on the College as an organization.
Review your content regularly, and update your pages with new
information (eg contact details or consultation results) when
necessary.
It may be an idea to set yourself a schedule so that you can
thoroughly review your information at a regular interval.
Use the Content Scheduling options in the CMS to set yourself email
reminders to revise pages with time-sensitive information.
Any Questions?