Intro training demo

Content is the most important component of our website.

This is the body text field, where the main part of your page content goes.

When writing for the web, using plain language allows users to find what they need, understand what they have found, and then use it to meet their needs. 

The seven Cs of content quality 

James Mathewson identifies seven features that will help you to write readable and engaging content. 

1. Client-centric: Quality content is not about what you want to write. It's about what your audience need to read
2. Compelling: Web users typically scan the page and only read if they see words that are obviously relevant to them
3. Credible: Everything you write needs to have solid evidence behind it
4. Concise: Give web users the information they need in the smallest possible time
5. Clear: Clarity is also in the eye of the beholder. And that's really the most important point
6. Conversational: On the web, nothing turns an audience off faster than writing that sounds mechanical
7. Clean: Make sure you proofread and have someone else proofread for you before you publish

Structuring content

When designing your content, keep the following in mind:

• have a clearly defined goal for each page
• be clear and succinct, no repetition
• break up big chunks of text by using short paragraphs (chunking) and adding headings and subheadings to enhance scannability.
• ensure keywords are in the headings and main text.

A bit about links

• Link to something only if it helps meet the user's need
• Write link text that is meaningful and makes the destination clear
• Don't set links to open in another tab or window
• Create internal links to support the user's journey
• Add the document type, file type and size when linking to files

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Download UX Myths poster (PDF, 668KB)

If you learn your audience's needs and pain points, you have a chance of creating high-quality content for them.

– James Mathewson

Content development process

These two steps are important when you develop content for the UTS web. 

Step 1: Content and audience identification

• Identify the information that is required and the purpose for publishing it. 
• Ensure that the information has not been published elsewhere on the UTS web.
• Identify who the audience(s) are and their particular needs.

Step 2: Publication and ongoing maintenance

• Determine and document ongoing maintenance requirements.
• Publish content.
• Maintain your content: keep the info current, accurate and relevant and undertake regular quality assurance checks.

Accessibility

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 we are legally required to ensure that people with disability have the same fundamental rights to access information as the rest of the community. 

[And this is where we'll stop today – we'll cover the rest in a second session, if needed]

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Images

Two important notes about images:

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Alt text replaces the element whenever the element can't be seen by the user or displayed on the screen.

Check the copyright of your image and attribute accordingly.

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The Dr Chau Chak Wing Building is the first Australian building designed by Frank Gehry, one of the world's most celebrated architects. Photo by Tom Hanks.  

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Image sizes

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When you add an image to the body field, you have four image sizes to choose from:

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Generic: The maximum size. Upload images that are at least 2000 pixels wide. 4000px wide is best.

250px: Good for decorative shots. Upload images that are at least 500 pixels wide

150px: Good for individual headshots. Upload images that are at least 300 pixels wide

50px: Good for icons such as social media. Upload images that are at least 100 pixels wide.

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Videos

Multimedia files must be published with a transcript.

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Questions?

If you have questions about using Drupal or want to know more about web guidelines,  contact us via our web request form on ServiceConnect.