EERE Content Standards Presenter: Allison Casey March 26, 2008

Content Standards Purpose Content QA Checklist Writing Process EERE Style Guide Maintenance

Purpose Content is the EERE Web site’s most important product! Web writing is different from print writing Standards provide: –Consistency –Quality

What are content standards? Requirements for Web site and page content Best practices Based on industry standards and training – Holtz, McGovern, Spool, Nielsen Norman Group, Federal Web Content Managers

Reaching the Standards Site EERE Home Page Assistant Secretary’s Office Communication Standards

Web Content Guidelines

Content QA Checklist

Content QA Checklist Topics Information architecture Section landing pages Each page as a whole Header text Introductory text Subheaders Body of content Links Images

Library of Approved Navigation Labels

Introduction to section content Links to content within section Links to any related sections Section Landing Pages

Page Elements

Header text Header Text

Introductory Text

Subheaders

Body of Content

Links Tell visitors when they are leaving EERE –Example: See ENERGY STAR's information on Federal Tax Credits for Energy EfficiencyFederal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency Tell users where they are going; i.e., Avoid “Click here” Emphasize only the distinctive words in a list of links: –Wrong: "renewable energy info for homeowners, renewable energy info for small businesses" –Right: Renewable energy info for: Homeowners Small businesses

Writing Process

Before Writing Who is the audience? What is the objective? –What message do you want to convey? –What tasks will your audience complete? What is the scope?

While Writing Refer to your original objective and plan Refer to the EERE Style GuideEERE Style Guide Refer to the Content QA ChecklistContent QA Checklist Ensure content is optimized for search Do not duplicate existing content

After Writing Does the page meet the objective? Does the page meet the needs of your audience? Could you easily complete your audience’s tasks using the content on this page?

Style Guide

EERE Style Guide

Style Guide Hierarchy: –EERE Style GuideEERE Style Guide –The Associated Press Style Book (2006) –Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (11th Edition) –The Chicago Manual of Style (15th Edition). Common errors: –ENERGY STAR ® –Web site, Web page

Maintenance

Follow maintenance planmaintenance plan –As needed: contacts, news, organization charts –Scheduled: link scans, content reviews Remove old content Plan for maintenance as you write

Benefits of Content Standards

Easier to maintain your site Improved search results Achieve program goals Users will find what they want and return to your site

Summary Purpose Content QA Checklist Writing Process EERE Style Guide Maintenance

Content Standards Resources Content Standards Content QA Checklist Writing Process Links Style Guide Approved Navigation Labels Page Elements Types of Pages Search Optimization Maintaining Content Maintenance Plans Content Analysis Project Charters Subscribe to Standards Listserv Communication Standards Blog