University of Wisconsin–Madison

Category: Best Practices

We’ll share best practices and helpful resources here.

Choosing the Best Format for Digital Content

Whenever possible, it’s best to prioritize placing content in an HTML web page rather than uploading documents. Linked Documents All linked documents — including PDFs, Word files, PowerPoint presentations, and Excel spreadsheets — must be tested for digital accessibility before posting to any university web property. Decision Tree: Should I upload a document? Go through …

Make it Plain

Many of us in academia tend to overwrite. We pad our sentences with complex words and phrases to add gravitas and convey prestige. To be fair, it’s not just academics who do it. Who hasn’t used “at the present time,” “a multitude of,” or “in the event of” in place of “now,” “many” and “if?” …

Understanding the Role of Content Modeling and Information Architecture

Imagine going on an adventure in the woods and relying on two different systems of trails that allow you to walk or wheel your way through the area. One system has well-maintained signs that are simple to navigate with easy to follow paths. On this trail system, you have a clear sense of where you’ve …

Usability and Accessibility Issues with PDFs

One of the most popular file formats used in working and learning environments — PDF, which stands for Portable Document Format — has significant limitations when repurposed for web content. PDF files have become the “informational currency” used to run many organizations. They are easy to make. Anyone can use a word processing application such …

Benefits of Defining your Audience

Even though target audiences for higher education websites are often challenging to narrow down, doing so is essential to creating quality user experiences, effective content, coherent design and meaningful usability testing.

Selecting a Web Development Vendor

This month, SMPH’s Office of Strategic Communications staff are interviewing web development vendors and evaluating WordPress hosting options. When working with vendors, it’s helpful to share your requirements as well as applicable university policies, guidelines and standards.