Overview

These guidelines provide best practices for creating and managing web content in the CMS. Following these standards helps ensure content is clear, consistent, and easy to maintain across LBCC’s website.

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

Organize Content Clearly

• Title = H1 (automatic in the current system)
• Subtitle = H2 (automatic in the current system)
• Begin structuring your content with H3 headings.
• Use H3 for main sections.
• Use H4–H6 for subsections, depending on the level of detail.

Use headings to structure your content and improve readability.

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”

Format Content in the CMS

• Create content directly in the CMS
• Avoid using files as primary content
• Keep formatting simple

Avoid Unsupported or Problematic Elements

• Do not use emojis—they are not supported in the 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 titles
• Headings
• Additional Search Terms

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
• Content is easy to read
• Formatting is consistent
• Final review is complete

Training and Support

• Attend a CMS training session
• Review guidelines & training materials 
• Submit a web request ticket

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.