Division of Information Technology Web Publishing @ SFSU

Web Publishing Checklist for Official University Web Pages

Please use the following checklist to ensure that you have met the basic minimum requirements of the SFSU Web policy:

• The University's complete name must appear on your site (at least once).
• Include a link back to SFSU's home page on your main page.
• Include a department e-mail address. Check and answer e-mail to this address within a reasonable period.
• Include the date (month, day, year) the material was last updated.
• Link any information on your page that exists in original form elsewhere on the Web (e.g., the Bulletin, campus map, directions to campus) to its original source, rather than copying it.
• When using official University graphic images/logo, on your site, use the standard versions available through the Publications Office graphics library.

Keep in mind these principles of Web design, access and site maintenance:

Content/Organization

• Consider your audience.
• Write for the Web, not for print. Keep language straightforward and simple, whenever possible, and free of spelling and grammatical errors.
• Keep your material up-to-date.
• Know and observe copyright regulations.

Appearance

• For readability, use background colors that are light or white, and type that is dark or black. Minimize use of background patterns.
• Avoid scrolling and flashing text and animation.
• Test your site using different screens and browsers. Smaller monitors may cut off part of your site.

Access/Technology Issues

• Validate HTML code and test links to make sure pages can be read by all browsers, including text-based browsers.
• Provide a text equivalent for every graphic image.
• To reduce download time, keep images small and limit the number of images you use per page.

1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132 (415) 338-1111
Last modified February 11, 2008 by the Web Team