Website Guidelines

1.1 Introduction

The University Web Guidelines are provided to encourage the creation of effective websites that establish a clear identity for the University on the world wide web consistent with the University's standing as a internationally recognised, research intensive University with an excellent teaching reputation.

The Guidelines should encourage the development and maintenance of sites that facilitate ease of access for clients moving from site to site across the University website by bringing a measure of consistency to the design, navigational methods, structure and language used.

The Guidelines consist of requirements, recommendations and suggestions for best practice. This document briefly outlines only the requirements for all websites.

The primary objectives of the University Web Guidelines are outlined in this introduction together with examples of the types of questions managers might ask of their websites in the context of each objective. Levels of compliance and a compliance date are specified.

1.2 Objectives

The University seeks to ensure that websites published under its name are authoritative, secure, accurate, relevant, current and accessible.

1.2.1 Authoritative

Appropriate control should be exercised over information and services published on the world wide web in order to ensure that they effectively meet the other objectives. Official websites must be immediately identifiable as an authoritative source of information by their adherence to consistent design measures.

1.2.2 Secure

Appropriate security precautions should be taken to protect information and services from interference and inappropriate access.

1.2.3 Accurate

Information made available should accurately reflect University policies and positions. Business units should avoid disseminating or duplicating information for which they are not the primary source.

1.2.4 Relevant

Information made available should address the particular needs of potential clients and users of the website. Information should be presented in a user-focused fashion.

1.2.5 Current

Appropriate procedures and technologies should be employed to ensure that the information made available is always up to date.

1.2.6 Accessible

Web sites must recognise and cater for the needs of all users.

1.3 Does your website meet the objectives?

1.3.1 Authoritative

• When visitors reach your site, how will they know that they are viewing official information?
• Does your site present a coherent and consistent image of your organisation?
• Is your position within the University and relationship to other sections of the University apparent?
• Who is responsible for what appears on your site?
• How is that responsibility exercised?
• Is there adequate control over content appearing on your site?
• Are excessive controls impairing the development and maintenance of your site?
• Who has permission to make what changes?

1.3.2 Secure

• Is your information secure from tampering or defacement?
• Is information intended only for restricted use secured from public access?

1.3.3 Accurate

• What checks are in place to ensure the accuracy of information available on your site?
• Are you duplicating information that might be more accurately and reliably obtained elsewhere?
• Have you checked the spelling and grammar on your website?

1.3.4 Relevant

• Will web visitors discern a clear purpose for your website?
• Does your site present an organisational viewpoint or structure that will prove cryptic and unnavigable to users outside of your organisation?
• Have you identified key categories of clients and users visiting your site?
• Does your site present user-focused information addressing the particular needs of each user group?
• Does the information provided on your site reflect its position within the University and its relationship to other sections of the University?

1.3.5 Current

• Are visitors to your site being confronted by out of date information and broken links?
• What policies, procedures and technologies are in place to ensure that your site offers only current information?
• How frequently is each page on your site reviewed and updated?

1.3.6 Accessible

• Are technologies used on your site denying access to potential users?
• Can your site be accessed using any combination of web browser and operating system?
• Does your site adhere to accessibility standards for people with disabilities?
• Are potential visitors able to find your information listed in search engines?
• Is your site being effectively indexed by search engines?
• Is your use of various web technologies preventing people from navigating your site effectively?

1.4 Compliance

These guidelines apply to all web pages hosted on the University network.

1.4.1 Requirements

The minimum requirements outlined in this document must be adhered to by all web pages.

Any modification to the University's requirements requires authorisation by the University Website Management Committee.

1.4.2 Compliance Date

These guidelines may require some sections of the University to undertake significant revisions of their current websites. All official websites must submit a Site Management Plan by the start of Semester One 2003. All University websites should comply with the published guidelines by the 1 January 2004.

To facilitate ongoing compliance with the University Web Guidelines all business units should plan to move their official websites to a Content Management System within the short to medium term.

1.5 Acknowledgements

Thanks to the following for their assistance in preparing this document and the University Metadata Standard: