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Illustrated Handbook for Web Management Teams (PDF)

All queries on the content of this handbook should be emailed to: webguidelines@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Guidelines for government websites

The Adobe Acrobat Reader v5 can be freely downloaded from

www.adobe.com (external link)

Contents (PDF index)

Executive Summary [149KB]

Introduction [118KB]

Chapter 1: Website management

• 1.1 Purpose of your website [119KB]
• 1.2 Management of your website [207KB]
• 1.3 Advertising and sponsorship [128KB]
• 1.4 Evaluation + checklist [238KB]
• 1.5 Focusing on user needs [118KB]
• 1.6 Discussion groups + example of an Acceptable Use Policy [144KB]
• 1.7 Getting users to your site: metadata, search engines and promotion [203KB]
• 1.8 Platform for Internet Content Selection (PICS) [197KB]
• 1.9 Domain name registration (including .gov.uk registration rules) (rev May 06) [236KB]
• 1.10 Legal issues [147KB]
• 1.11 Backgrounder on securing websites [165KB]
• 1.12 Procurement + checklist on choosing an ISP/hosting service [178KB]

Chapter 2: Content of websites

• 2.1 Basic website structure [138KB]
• 2.2 What content should be on your website? [121KB]
• 2.3 Cross-government requirements [192KB]
• 2.4 Building in universal accessibility + checklist [514KB]
• 2.5 Browser compatibility [295KB]
• 2.6 Information and text [166KB]
• 2.7 Use of other languages [226KB]
• 2.8 Web graphics [273KB]

Chapter 3: File storage and structure

• 3.1 File storage and servers [121KB]
• 3.2 Document structure [152KB]

Chapter 4: HMTL markup, other formats and scripting

• 4.1 Markup standards for government websites [98KB]
• 4.2 HTML pages [181KB]
• 4.3 Non-HTML file formats [156KB]
• 4.4 Portable Document Format (PDF) [200KB]
• 4.5 Plug-ins [127KB]
• 4.6 Scripting and programming [140KB]
• 4.7 Cookies [131KB]

Chapter 5: Developments

• 5.1 Dynamic publishing [104KB]
• 5.2 Your website on television [252KB]
• 5.3 Other digital communication media [284KB]
• 5.4 eXtensible Markup Language (XML) and eXtensible Stylesheet Language (XSL) [124KB]
• 5.5 On-line transactions [103KB]

Chapter 6: Technical detail and tutorials

• 6.1 Hypertext Markup Language (HTML 4.01) [336KB]
• 6.2 Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) [254KB]
• 6.3 HTML tables [221KB]
• 6.4 HTML frames [350KB]
• 6.5 HTML forms [240KB]
• 6.6 Web page navigation [228KB]

Annexes

• All Annexes [785KB]
• Checklist: Specifying your website [109KB]
• Glossary [311KB]
• A to Z index [337KB]

Additonal Information

This document is also available in MS Word and HTML formats.

Other formats

Refer to Framework for senior managers - a summary of main points of the Guidelines and changes from version one.

Web guidelines