Web Services and Web Technical Infrastructure

Requirements for Pages

All web publishing issues involve the Office of Marketing and Communications to ensure that IU Northwest's web is following communication and vision goals. Our website incorporates a user-centered design. A departmental template was designed for use in creating departmental pages. Departments are required to follow those guidelines when making web pages.

Below are suggestions for IU web pages. In addition, IU has set forth requirements in the Web Standards for IU Web Pages. Please also review the Policy on the Use of Indiana University Information Technology Resources which includes the use of web sites for organizations. 

All publications, including web published pages, are to follow the Indiana University Style Guide guidelines.

Policy for Web Pages

This page contains suggestions for IU Northwest web pages. In addition, IU has set forth requirements, guidelines and policy for the use of web sites and Information Technology Resources. Web account access is limited to registered people as defined in IU Northwest Website Code and Content Policy, Web Account Access. Design policies are indicated in Coding and Content.

Please read the following policies and guidelines:

• IU Northwest Website Code and Content Policy
• IU Northwest Guidelines and Policies for web pages (this document)
• IU Webmaster's General Account Information - Restrictions on account content and usage
• Computer Users' Privileges and Responsibilities
• University Information Policy Office for Indiana University Appropriate Technology Use Policies which includes the use of web sites for organizations
• IU Bloomington Web Standards for IU Web Pages

There is not a specific policy (yet) that applies to personal home pages or their general content.  However, all other technology and computing policies apply, For example, web pages can not be used for commercial or illegal purposes, or in a way that violates any University or campus policies.  The Indiana University Appropriate Technology Use Policies apply for professional and personal web pages hosted by Indiana University Servers.

Personal web pages are for members of the IU community to express and represent themselves to the world, and to learn how to create and maintain web pages.  In that context, resumes are perfect on a mypage web account.  Departmental web pages are to represent IU departments and offices to the world, and as such, personal resumes may not be appropriate.  However, if a department chooses to publish the resumes of their staff on their departmental web pages, that is their choice. 

Suggestions for pages

1. Begin the Title of your page with IU Northwest and then anything you want to describe your page.  When people bookmark your page, it will indicate IU Northwest.  For example, see the title of this page in the blue title bar:  IU Northwest Web Design Guidelines.
2. Tell Your Message in the first screen - Most users will look at the first window and leave if it doesn't keep their interest.  You have 3 seconds to catch the viewer's attention so that they know what to expect without viewing the whole page.  Use targets and a one or two line smaller list of items so that in 3 seconds the viewer will see what is available to select. 
3. Do not use Frames - There are a number of reasons why it is strongly suggested that frames are NOT used
   1. Marketing & Communications Department requests that all pages have a similar look without frames, keeping design throughout the web similar.
   2. If someone wants to bookmark only one page of your area, they cannot. With frames, it always goes back to the main page.
   3. When printing with frames, people don't realize that the last frame you clicked in is the frame that will print.  Visitors may be frustrated that they are not printing what they expect.
   4. Pages that are designed using HTML frames can often present substantial navigation difficulties to both blind users and to those without frames-capable browsers. 
   5. Not all browsers can use frames.  Try some other means of displaying your pages.
   6. Webmasters in Bloomington and IUPUI say frames are no longer to be used for development of web pages.
4. Small Pages - Many Pages - Make many small pages to get your information out there.  Point to another page.  Keep information together on ONE page that the user may want to print. For example:  Keep all dates together on one page.  Point to different sections when linking to those different dates. Should the viewer want to print dates, they would print a page that has ALL dates for your department.  Think of what the viewer may want to see and print, and design the pages so they can take what they want. It's better to print one page with the information you need than ten pages with information you need on only a few pages.
5. Print Your Pages - so you know how they will look printed. Some pages look differently in print than on the screen.
6. Use Filenames with NO spaces. This is one thing that people forget. The pages might show when tested locally, but will not show on the web.
7. Use Proper Capitalization - writing in all upper case is hard to read. Use of proper upper and lower cases makes the text flow and is easier to read.
8. Link Selected Words - less is more. Web readers scan pages for hypertext. Using key words to link is better than linking a whole sentence.
9. Use Normal Text and Headings - Use header formatting for headings (i.e. <h3> for paragraph headings). Users will have a variety of browsers that will view our pages.  Keep the text normal instead of a special font.  The font will not appear the same on viewer's browsers if they do not happen to have the font you choose.  Use html headings for emphasis and visual emphasis.  All browsers understand normal text and headings. Also handicapped individuals use a screen reader that indicates standard web code formatting, allowing vision impaired users to understand the page more easily.
10. Use Viewer's Browser's Colors for links - users are used to seeing their browser show active links, followed links, etc. in the their default colors.
11. Keep Pages Navigable - Provide the user with the means to return to upper levels of your site. Don't let the users get lost. Lost users leave and do not come back.
12. Keep Images Small and Provide Links to Larger Images - Remember that some users are not willing to wait for that really cool image that takes up a ton of memory while they are looking for information about your department. Either keep the images small or provide thumbnails that link to  larger images. Most users will not wait longer than a minute for a page to download before they go somewhere else and miss all the wonderful information you are providing.
13. Don't Underline Items Which Are Not Links - One clue that an item is a link is the fact that it is underlined. An underlined item that is not a link will frustrate users. Use bold or italics or other such items to emphasize your words.
14. Make Sure Your Links Actually Go Somewhere - Don't use links that don't have a destination. This will frustrate the user who may not return to your site.  BUT, you can use plain text for a 'place holder'.  That will also let readers know that you will be having more information and give them a reason to look at your page again.
15. Keep links the same name as the page title they refer to- i. e. link says 'Design Guidelines' be sure it goes to a page that is titled 'Design Guidelines'. Otherwise it is confusing to users.
16. Ask a Few Simple Questions - What do you hope to accomplish with your pages?; What information will you be providing?; Who is your audience? What would the viewer want to print? Does the first view to my page have links that interest the viewer?
17. Remember the End User When Developing Pages - Will the flow of your pages make sense to someone not familiar with your department? Will your audience need special knowledge to navigate your site? Do the graphics enhance rather than detract from your site?.
18. Departmental Pages should look the same as their front page.  This is to make our web pages look like they are from the same organization.
19. Consider Continuity -Try to use similar items in your web site. For example, the same background throughout all of your pages, an image specifying your department or other similar design. 
20. Background and Colors -  If you use an image for the background for non-departmental pages, be sure the text is easily read.  When you print your page that uses a different background be sure the text color is something that will print (be sure to print your page) - Black backgrounds and white text will not print!  If you use an image for a background, change the background color which will allow lines and tables to show the chosen color.  When a person prints the page with a color printer, the lines will be the background color.  Use Color for emphasis on titles.  Be careful coloring ALL text on a page.  Links may not be as apparent on the viewer's browser.
21. View your page from more than one browser -Dial in to see how quick your page loads.  Go to both a PC lab and a Macintosh Lab to view your pages. Go to a computer with less memory than yours and see how fast your page loads.

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