1. Preparing for the Content Management System Ronna Johnston Web Content Best Practices 10/26/2015

2. Today’s Topics 1.Content Management System 2.New template design 3.New navigation structure 4.Content Improvements

3. CMS Briefly About the CMS Pages converted by web authors Page types provided Converted in phases Starts in February More details about CMS: http://www.unco.edu/websupport/as sets/content%20sessions%20admin%2 0CMS.pptx http://www.unco.edu/websupport/as sets/content%20sessions%20admin%2 0CMS.pptx http://www.unco.edu/websupport/as sets/content_sessions_CMS_academic. pptx http://www.unco.edu/websupport/as sets/content_sessions_CMS_academic. pptx. CMS and Content Opportunity to clean up web sites Remove old files from WWW Old site will be archived and removed New site published fresh

4. New UNC web design  Responsive design  UNC brand  Top level navigation

5. New UNC Look

6. Top Level Links. Basics Sticky nav On every page Includes drop-down links Horizontal Also includes Breadcrumbs Site title

7. Top Level Links. Pluses Users don’t want too many choices Allows wider screen space Makes more sense for mobile usability Downside Many web sites will need restructure of content

8. Example Old New

9. What You Can Do Now Get ready

10. Step 1. First step – step back Think about your mission or purpose at UNC What are your goals within that mission? What “value added” content is critical to your mission?

11. Step 2. Second step - look at your current content Delete old info Seriously consider if page is needed Combine pages Rewrite content as needed

12. Evaluating Content. The page is accurate, up to date, and ready for migration The page is required but needs corrections before migration Page can be combined with another The page is obsolete or no longer needed and should not be migrated

13. . Step 3 Navigation

14. Page Options. Home Page

15. Page Options. Program List

16. Page Options. Current Student Page

17. Organizing Your Site. Navigation Sample

18. Every Page is a Link. Remember – every link is a page with content

19. Footer. Optional Links

20. Navigation Summary. Top Level Links – About 6 Drop Down Links – Limit to 9 Level Three Links – Limit to 9 Footer Quicklinks – 5 or 6

21. Step 3. Organizing Content on the Page

22. Examples. When to Use… Basic page Right side navigation Right side boxes Highlight panel Quicklinks Mix and match carefully!

23. . Step 4 Writing Content Use relevant headings Start with the conclusion Concise writing Chunk content – one topic per paragraph Use bullet points

24. . About Writing… Tone Write clear, simple sentences in a conversational tone Second person Active voice Have a goal in mind – call to action Explain acronyms

25. . About Writing… Search Engines Terms used by users Keep content fresh Titles start with most important word and are no longer than 55 characters Descriptions no longer than 150 characters Keyword your image alt tags Proper HTML

26. . About Writing… Accessibility Do not use click here Make links meaningful Make image alt tags descriptive Don’t use color to require understanding Use tables only for tabular data Don’t use all CAPS for regular words

27. . Summary 1. Understand the navigation choices 2.Review existing web content 3.Delete, cut, combine, improve, move 4.Be kind to your web author

28. . Timing Four phases Academic departments and recruitment administrative sites first Begins in February Spring 2016, summer 2016, fall 2016, spring 2017 _________________________ 400+ top level sites 350+ web authors 3.5 Web Communications staff

29. Questions Place imae(s) in this area. Ronna Johnston Web Content Best Practices 10/26/2015