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Web Standards and Guidelines

Updated July 27, 2009

Governing Principle
The Internet is increasingly becoming the primary communication channel, helping to further NHLBI’s mission of protecting and advancing the public health. In addition, with more visitors and information every month, the Internet site acts as the “front door” to a substantial portion of the public we serve. By creating a single online identity that more fully supports the agency mission, it will in turn strengthen all organizational sites.

The Internet and Intranet sites shall reflect the organization’s identity, mission, and guiding principles. The style, design, and content components that create the brand and site identity of the sites shall accurately and consistently reflect a user-friendly web presence that is in alignment with the Institute’s mission, strategy, guiding principles, and policies.

Consistency Builds Brand.
Brand improves an organizations ability to communicate effectively. These guidelines are meant to further develop NHLBI's new brand across all Web sites.

For all web inquiries, please contact the NHLBI Web Manager.


Additional Guidelines from HHS
Web Policies and Standards Department of Health and Human Services Logo
Web Records Policy & Guidance Department of Health and Human Services Logo


Creating New Pages
NHLBI Style Guidelines
Web Site Templates
Working with Page Templates
Correct and Current Content
Required links for Subsites and Web Application
P3P: Requirements for Subsites and Web Applications

General
Editing/Updating Existing Pages
Frames

Pages Under Construction
Award Information
Contractor Information
Cascading Style Sheets
Multiple Platforms and Browsers
Requirements of Section 508
Cookies
No Restrictions: Free access to all
Photos Policy
Provide a link back to the topof the page
Patient or Personal Information
Fluid Design
Accessible Technology and Dynamic Tools

Filenames
Capital Letters
File Name Length
Naming Mulitple Related Files
Key Words in Filenames
Blank Spaces
*.htm Extension
Index.htm

Coding
Blink Code
Scrolling Marques
Relevant Title Tags
End Tags
Proper HTML Structural Elements
Dark Text on a White Background
Page/Section Titles

Fonts
Specific Font, Face, or Size Limitations
Mathematical/Non-Conventional Symbols
Underline Non-Link Text
Graphic Fonts

Graphics and Images
Appropriate Use of Images
Appropriate Use of File Link Icons
Animated Images
Checkboxes, Buttons & Bullets
ALT text in image tags
Copyrighted or limited use images
Avoid "Shadowing" Text Effect
Image Maps
NHLBI Logo Link
Using a Graph

Navigation
Dead Ends
Skip Over Navigation Links
Pull-Down Menus
Back-To-Top Link

Links
Linking Policy
Link Colors
Breadcrumbs
Descriptive Words
Obvious Links
Relative Links
Redirect Links
CGI script (for non-NIH Links)
Check All Links

Tables
Relative Units
Tables and Screen Readers
Simple Tables
Summary Attribute
Align Attribute

PDF Files
When To Use PDF Files
Readable Text
Complex PDF Documents
Hyperlinking to a PDF Document
Journal Articles
Document Title
Font Problems

Other Media
Microsoft Office
PowerPoint Slides
Flash Files
Podcasts
RSS Feeds
Blogs
Wikis
Video Files
Audio File Transcripts



 

 

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