As a content editor, your primary role is to update the information on your website to provide a better experience for viewers. While many design options are available, the layout of each page should be relatively consistent throughout the website. Your goal must be to keep the information on your website updated and current. Changes that significantly modify the layout or require access to source code or modifications to the navigation of a website should be organized with the creative team. Reach out to us through the CSUF-CBECreate@fullerton.edu email account.

Decorative Graphics

Graphics are not to be used for decoration or styling within the main content area of a page. Only standard elements such as horizontal rules (straight lines) or bullet points may be used. This is to provide a consistent experience and level of quality throughout the website.

The only non-photo graphics that may be used are infographics that present users with relevant information. This includes charts, graphs and statistics. A non-image equivalent must be present on the page for Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI) compliance to ensure viewers using assistive technologies can still access the information presented. 

Do not use images or PDFs in lieu of web pages and HTML content. Flyers intended for print should not be used as web content or to bypass limitations of HTML formatting. PDF files are not acceptable alternatives to images and are not considered to be ATI/508 compliant at this time.

Text and Fonts

Do not use custom fonts for text on the page or for images and/or graphics used on your page without prior approval from the creative team, which may be contacted by reaching out to CSUF-CBECreate@fullerton.edu.

Do not use alternate font sizes, as they detract from the consistency and overall quality of the website. There are different styles, such as Heading 2 and Heading 3, that can be used to create distinct section titles. Do not use Heading 1, as this is reserved for the main title of the page.

You may use bold or italic styles for your text. You should not use underlined text unless that text is also a hyperlink that the viewer can interact with.

Text information should always be presented with no color specified. It is not recommended to use any color for text on the CBE website, as we may need to adjust font colors and styles site-wide at any given time to adjust for ATI compliance. 

All text should be left-aligned. Do not center, right-align or justify text or use HTML tables to produce non-standard text layouts.

Images and Photos

When embedding images into a web page, the image should always be resized to the actual desired display size. Do not upload photos directly from cameras or phones without first resizing them to appropriate sizes. Images that are excessively large may be removed or resized without notice. All images and graphics used on the website must contain a description (also known as “alt” text). This must be between eight and 80 characters long (approximately one brief sentence) and cannot contain words such as “image” or “photo.”

Do not digitally “frame” photos or introduce unnecessary graphical elements, watermarks or logos unless required by the image author.

Banner images that appear at the top of a web page should be cropped so that the aspect ratio is between 2.5:1 and 3:1. They must be exactly 800 pixels wide and 320 pixels tall. Smaller images will be scaled up automatically, which may degrade their appearance.

Content Quality and ATI Compliance

Do not use phrases such as “Click Here” or “Click to Proceed” for hyperlinks. These must be restructured so that the link itself is descriptive of the website it will take the user to. Remember that not all users are navigating with a mouse.

All content editors are deemed responsible for checking clarity, readability, word usage, grammar, tenses and spelling upon publishing a page, even if errors are from a previous editor. When you publish a page, you are signifying that you have inspected the entire page for quality assurance. This includes keeping verbiage reasonably consistent within your page and site. 

We routinely run scans to determine any ATI compliance issues and may update your content without notice or request that you update your own content in order to correct any issues the scans detect.

Advanced Features

Should you require a feature that goes beyond basic content editing and information updating, please send requests for these features to CSUF-CBECreate@fullerton.edu so they can be formally logged and our web and design teams can review them. These features include:

• Interactive forms (in which viewers input information for email or databases)
• Embedded videos or animations
• Calendars, image galleries, chat boxes or other third-party widgets
• Expanding/collapsing sections (such as accordions)
• Complex layouts that go beyond text, images and/or tables
• New pages (these must be created properly and added to the navigation pane on the left)
• Changes to the navigation pane

Additional Guidelines and Procedures

These guidelines are ancillary to the university branding rules, which must also be adhered to at all times when editing and updating content on the website.