Quality Assurance
Quality assurance guarantees that websites function seamlessly, providing users a flawless experience. Beyond aesthetics, ensuring the quality of our pages safeguards against technical glitches, security vulnerabilities, and accessibility issues, fostering trust and loyalty among users. In a large university and an overcrowded digital landscape, where competition is imminent, prioritizing quality isn’t just prudent—it’s imperative for standing out, building credibility, and achieving sustained success.
Accessibility
By making websites accessible, editors can reach a broader audience, including those with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments. Embracing web accessibility not only promotes inclusivity and equal access to information but also aligns with legal requirements and ethical considerations. It enhances user experience, improves search engine optimization, and fosters a positive reputation for organizations.
Search Engine Optimization
To truly stand out and reach your target audience, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) plays a pivotal role. SEO is not just about ranking higher on search engine results pages; it’s about ensuring your website is discoverable, relevant, and valuable to users.
You can increase your website’s visibility, attract targeted traffic, enhance the user experience, build credibility, and achieve your department goals. Incorporating SEO into your content strategy is essential for staying competitive and thriving in today’s digital landscape.
Editor Quick Reference Checklist
Refer to the table below for common elements and errors to check for on web pages.
| Web Element | Check |
|---|---|
| Headings | One H1 per page Maintain heading level structure (h1 -> h2 -> h3 -> h4, etc). A good heading is short and describes the content that follows. Use headings meaningful by their level and not by their font size |
| Button and Link Labels | Use descriptive link text that describes the content being linked to. Avoid “click here”, “read more”, ”download”, “view here”, “see here”, and “continue reading” as link text. Use the alternative text as link text for images that are used as a link. |
| Video and Audio | Make sure the video has subtitles and closed captions. Make sure the audio has transcriptions. Avoid auto-playing a video or audio. |
| Image Alternative (alt) Text | Give an image a proper alternative text using the W3C alt decision tree. |
| Broken Links | Ensure the link clicks to its intended destination. Editors are responsible for identifying and repairing broken links to maintain the functionality and integrity of the website, ensuring visitors have access to accurate and relevant content. |
| Readability | Make sure the content is clear and easy to read. Users scan a page for keywords and only start reading when they find what they are looking for. |
| Misspellings | Ensure spelling is accurate so that it enhances readability, comprehension, and the overall user experience. |