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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 Standardshttp://www.eere.energy.gov/communicationstandards/
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
Header text
Header Text
Introductory Text
Introductory Text
Subheaders
Subheaders
Body of Content
Body of Content
Links• Tell visitors when they are leaving EERE
– Example: See ENERGY STAR's information on Federal 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 Guide
• Refer to the Content 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 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
Maintenance• Follow maintenance 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
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
