LBCC Web Content Standards
CMS Best Practices For LBCC Web Content Contributors

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Arrow of a compass is pointing compliance best practice text on the compass.

Overview

These guidelines outline best practices for creating and managing LBCC web content in the CMS. Following them helps keep LBCC’s website clear, consistent, accessible, and easier to maintain.

LBCC Web Guidelines

Accessibility Requirements

For accessibility-specific guidance, please refer to: LBCC Web Accessibility Guidelines for Content Contributors

Before You Create or Update Content

Before working in the CMS, take a moment to define the basics:

  • Audience: Who is this content for?
    Examples: prospective students, current students, employees, community members, or partners.
  • Reading Level: Aim for a clear, easy-to-understand reading level, generally around 6th–8th grade.
  • Tone: Use a tone that is friendly, clear, professional, and inclusive.
  • Purpose: Identify the main goal of the content. Is it meant to inform, guide, promote, or direct users to take action?

Recommended Content Structure: To keep your content consistent and easy to follow, organize content using this structure when possible:

  • Overview: Briefly explain the topic, service, program, or page purpose.
  • Who This Is For: Identify the intended audience.
  • Services / Information: Provide key details, resources, or program information.
  • How to Get Started: Use clear steps when users need to complete an action.
  • Important Notes: Include deadlines, requirements, reminders, or special instructions.
  • Contact / Next Steps:  Provide contact information or direct users to the next action.

Content Creation Best Practices

Follow Branding and Content Standards

  • Follow LBCC branding and content guidelines
  • Ensure content is accurate and up to date
  • Use consistent terminology

Use Headings to Organize/Structure Your Content

Because our CMS (Digital Deployment powered by Drupal) automatically assigns H1 to the page title and H2 to section titles, content authors should begin their custom headings at H3 and follow a sequential order.

  • Use built-in heading styles such as H3 and H4, H5, H6 in sequential order for main sections and sub-sections to organize content clearly
  • Do not skip heading levels (for example, do not jump from H3 to H5)
  • Do not use bold text as a substitute for headings
  • Use headings to separate topics and improve readability

Use clear headings to break up (structure) content and improve page navigation, making it easier for visitors to scan and read.

Write for Clarity and Readability

  • Use clear, concise language
  • Break content into sections
  • Use bullet points
  • Avoid long paragraphs

Use Descriptive Links

  • Avoid “click here”
  • Use clear link text: example: “Apply for Financial Aid”

Add Content Directly to the Webpage

Whenever possible, publish information directly on the webpage instead of using downloadable files. This makes content significantly more accessible, searchable, mobile-friendly, and easy to maintain.

Adopt an HTML-First Approach

Create & publish your content directly on the page using the CMS for:

  • General information
  • Instructions
  • Schedules
  • Deadlines
  • Program details
  • Contact information
  • Announcements
  • Lists or tables that users need to read online
  • This makes the content easier to read on mobile devices, easier to search, easier to update, and more accessible for all users.
Do Not Use Files as Primary Web Content

HTML-First Rule: Always build your content directly in the CMS. Do not rely on uploaded files—such as PDFs, Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, or Excel spreadsheets—as the primary way to share web information.

Files should not replace regular webpage content unless a downloadable file is truly needed.

When Files May Be Used

Downloadable files may be appropriate for:

  • Fillable forms
  • Worksheets
  • Official forms
  • Legal documents
  • Signed documents
  • Documents that must keep a specific format

When a file is used (uploaded or linked), it must be final, up to date, officially approved, and fully compliant with accessibility standards.

Keep Formatting Simple

Write content in a way that is easy to scan and understand.

  • Scannability: Format text so readers can quickly find key information, use bullet points when helpful
  • Short Paragraphs: Avoid dense walls of text by keeping paragraphs brief.
  • Heading Hierarchy: Use structured headings (H1 through H5) in sequential order for main sections and sub-sections.

Tables (if used):

  • Use tables only for data (not for layout)
  • Include a header row to label columns
  • Keep tables simple and easy to read

Simple, well-structured content is easier to read and helps all users navigate your page. Use clear headings, short paragraphs, lists, descriptive links, and accessible tables when needed. Avoid copying complex layouts from Word, PDFs, or flyers.

Avoid Unsupported or Problematic Elements

  • Do not use emojis—they are not supported in this current CMS
  • Content after an emoji may be cut off or lost when saved
  • Avoid unnecessary formatting or styling overrides

Apply Basic SEO Practices

Use keywords naturally

Add keywords to:

  • Page title
  • Headings
  • Additional Search Terms (in the CMS)

Content Workflow

Follow LBCC Process

  1. Plan and structure content: plan before you edit, create a content outline first, do NOT start editing without a plan
  2. Get Approval: Obtain approval from the content owner before creating or updating content in the CMS
  3. Create and Submit Content: Create content in the CMS
  4. Final Review Before Submission for Publishing: proofread content, test links and formatting, confirm content is ready for publishing
  5. Submit content for publishing approval
  6. Request Support (If Needed): submit a web request ticket for assistance

Quick Checklist

  • Content is accurate and up to date
  • Headings are used properly
  • Links are clear and meaningful
  • Content is easy to read
  • Formatting is consistent
  • Final review is complete

Training and Support

Important Note

These guidelines support consistent content management in the CMS. Accessibility, governance, and compliance are managed at the institutional level and supported through separate guidance.