Web Publishing Best Practices
Best Practices
Your webpage isn’t for everyone — and that’s a good thing. Focus on your primary audience and structure content based on their needs.
Before drafting or editing a page, ask:
- Who is my main audience?
- What do they need to know?
- What do I want them to do here?
- What messages are most important for them to understand?
Don’t mirror your office’s internal organization. Organize information in a way that’s intuitive for your visitors.
People scan web pages — help them find what they need fast.
- Use headings to break up sections and guide the reader.
- Write in short paragraphs and bullet points.
- Keep your language clear and concise — avoid jargon.
- Prioritize the most important info at the top of the page.
Good links give users context — even when read on their own (like with screen readers or search engines).
Do Use:
- Use descriptive, informative phrases
More about the Board of Trustees
Schedule a campus visit
Download the 2025 Faculty Handbook (PDF)
Avoid:
- Generic or vague phrases
Click here
Learn more
Read this - Verb-based phrases that don’t describe the destination
Tell me more
See it now - Full URLs as visible link text
http://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/apply-for-financial-aid/nys-tap.html
(Use “Apply for NYS TAP” instead)
If accurate, up-to-date information already exists elsewhere on the Hamilton site, link to it rather than recreating it.
For example, link to:
- Directions to campus
- Campus map
- Local accommodations, restaurants and attractions
- Hamilton Events Calendar
See content on another page you want to include on yours? Contact Esena Jackson about making a module available as a shared module.
This ensures consistency — and saves you time.
Outdated information erodes trust. Review your site regularly to keep it accurate and relevant.
- Set update reminders in SiteManager to review content on a regular schedule.
- Use visibility tools to schedule when content appears or disappears from your site.
- Check your links — fix broken ones promptly.
- Archive or remove old content rather than leaving it in place.
Editorial Style Guide
2025-26, not 2025-2026
Capitalize the “C” when referring to a particular class with the year: The Class of 1999 celebrated its reunion.
On first reference use Hamilton College. It is not necessary to use the word “College” on second reference; the word “Hamilton” can stand alone. When referring to Hamilton as “the College” on second reference, use a capital “C.”
Do not include “th,” “nd” or “rd” after the day or the month: They were married on February 19 (not February 19th)
No hyphen.
The College’s newest building is the recently opened Johnson Center for Health and Wellness. Use the full name on first reference; Johnson Center on second reference.
- View a complete list of formal and second-reference names of Hamilton buildings and facilities.
Two words when used as a verb: Go log in to your computer to make a gift.
One word as a noun or adjective: The most common login password is 1234.
Use hyphens (not parentheses, periods or slashes) between the area code and number: 315-859-4000. Do not include “1” before any 10-digit number.
Use 315-859-4276, not ext. 4276 or x4276
After a period, only one space is needed.
Lowercase spring, summer, winter, fall: spring break, fall semester. Exceptions are part of a formal name: Alternative Spring Break.
Times should use a.m. or p.m. with periods; no caps and no zeros: 3 p.m. Do not use 12 in front of noon or midnight. Do not repeat a.m. or p.m. when giving a time range: The workshop was scheduled for 3–5 p.m. (not 3 p.m.–5 p.m.)
- Before a name-
Capitalize titles of Hamilton employees. Do not set off by commas: Professor of Music Sam Johnson gave a lecture. Master Mechanic Jeff Smith was promoted. - After a name-
Lowercase after a name and set off by commas: Debra Boutin, professor of mathematics, gave a lecture. Jeff Smith, master mechanic, was promoted. - Standing alone without a name-
Lowercase: The president gave a speech.
