For faculty and staff

County Web pages are unique among MU Extension's many Web pages. The following guidelines address issues specific to county pages. For additional style and usage information that applies to all MU Extension Web pages, see the Editorial style and usage guide.

As you put together pages in the WebTool content management system, remember that your pages will fit differently in the context of the new website than when they were standalone sites with a link back to the main site. On every page, you will have the top statewide navigation that links your user quickly to the breadth of extension programming. You no longer need to identify every program or resource available through MU Extension. Your pages can promote what is happening locally and what is unique to the services and programs your county provides.

Remember, less is more. It is not necessary to create local programming pages if you don't have any content to fill them. Counties with minimal staffing may have no need for extra pages and no resources to keep them up to date. Filling out the services page, adding annual reports, and keeping the home page current is the mimimum work necessary for a good county website.

Frequently needed guidelines

format for listing 4-H clubs and project clubs
repetition of county name

Choosing what pages fit under the 'Local programming' menu

The pages you link under your "Local programming" menu should quickly and succinctly tell what your county provides in a certain area that is different from statewide content or be pages that are specific to your county programs. You no longer need to repeat descriptions of statewide resources because links to statewide content are readily available from your pages.

'Local programming' menu page title length

Keep page titles short and succinct. Try to keep them from wrapping to two lines in the left-hand menu.

Resources

Use the Manage Resources section of WebTool to add your local content next to statewide content on the nine top-level category pages. How to add resources to your pages.

Programming descriptions

Keep descriptions of local programming short and succinct. Information should be direct and easy to find. Headings and subheadings should be short and accurately describe the content that follows.

Identity guidelines including referring to county centers

Added Oct. 31, 2010

See the MU Extension identity guidelines to learn how to refer to MU Extension throughout your Web pages. Specifically, the County Organization, County Centers and County Councils entries on the page tell you how to refer to your county center.

Logo usage and graphic standards

Added Oct. 31, 2010

See the MU Extension graphic standards for information on using the University of Missouri Extension logo correctly.

Logos for other organizations should not be placed on extension Web pages unless it is required by contractual arrangement. In such cases, the logo should be smaller than the MU Extension logo at the top of the page. Usually a text listing of other organizations participating in an event or program will suffice and make the page less confusing.

PDF vs. Word document or Excel document

PDF files are preferred over Microsoft Office documents such as Word or Excel because members of the public have access to the Adobe Reader but do not necessarily have Microsoft Office.

Repetition of county name

Avoid repeating the county name multiple times in text on the pages that include the county banner.

4-H clubs and project clubs

Added Oct. 31, 2010; updated Feb. 21, 2011

Use the following format to concisely and consistently list your county's 4-H clubs and project clubs along with their meeting times, meeting places, leaders and contact information. Remember to use "time, date, place" (TDP) to consistently order information about events.

Trinity 4-H Club meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Monday of every month at the extension center in Columbia. Club leaders: Donna Johnson, 573-999-9999, or Jane Doe, 573-999-1234 or janedoe@hotmail.com

Contact
Kate Akers, Technical and training support
DeeAnna Adkins, Editorial style and design support