Here’s a handy tool I love to use, it’s a government web site devoted to Content, and it’s (believe it or not) full of good content.
If usability is all about delivering an easy and satisfying experience to users, then surely good usability implies the core of the experience, the content, be good too. But let’s face it, useful, easy to use and satisfying content is not all that easy to create. Need some tips on how to create and deploy good content? Well, look no further than the United States government, which has an easy-to-use and satisfying web site devoted to content (with some good bits about usability and technology thrown in as well).
The resource is http://www.webcontent.gov/, and I heartily recommend it for both new and experienced usability practitioners.
In webcontent.gov, you’ll find several sections of helpful tips and information, and actually the website itself is a good example of content done well.
Sections include:
- Requirements & Best Practices: Mostly around information for those having to create or manage Government web sites, but good information on best practices for just about anyone.
- Usability & Design: One of my favorite sections and full of links to good content on usability issues. Especially of note is the Section 508 content with links to examples of how to create compliant web sites, and best practices for maximizing Accessibility.
- Improving Your Website: Lots of helpful information and tips on evaluating and measuring websites with an eye toward what information will help you improve yours.
- Managing Content: Probably the best section in the site and full of lots of tips on how to keep your content user-friendly, helpful and fresh.
- Management & Governance: A topic not often covered, so a helpful resource for best practices in managing sites, I especially like the policies and procedures section.
- Resources & Tools: Check out the Training & Workshops section, many workshops are government only, but there’s quite a few listed that anyone can attend.
- Getting Started: This has a great source of content about knowing your audience and the various types of research that can be conducted to understand who they are and what they need.
I’ve found little gems like this website can come in very handy when trying to identify best practices or otherwise research content topics. I hope you’ll find it helpful from time to time too!
