COI Toolkit Beta


3
Writing Content

The essentials of writing content so that it is appropriate for the Web and can be read and understood quickly and easily by your audience


3a Structuring content for the Web


Use headings to group content into appropriate sections – this improves readability, scanning and page navigation

  • Using HTML heading levels <h1>, <h2>,<h3> and so on
    • Try to avoid skipping levels if possible
  • Note: If using Microsoft Word or a similar word processor to provide content, use in-built heading/outline levels to give this structure [also see 1b]

Provide a clear main page title on every page

  • Use<h1>

Use bullet and numbered lists rather than long comma separated lists – to give more structure and aid quick reading (visually scanning of the page)

Provide summaries and in-page contents lists particularly for long pages [see 2c]

Ensure consistency across content pages [see 1b]

  • Use templates for similar content types
  • Coordinate content provision so that all content providers are aware of, and use, the same templates and formats

Notes and discussion points

Good structure is essential to enhance readability and accessibility – a good way to check is to turn off the styles in your browser and just view it raw. If it still looks structured, makes sense and is easy to read the likelihood is that it is well structured

Screenshot of this guidance page showing how it appears with just the browser default styles

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