HUD's Web Publication Procedures and Style Guide

Appendix E: State Page Rules

2. Rules for the Front Page (/index)

a. In general, the front page is the "message" page – the page that Regional Directors and Public Affairs Officers can use to promote the Department's major initiatives and strategic goals.

• Be sure to feature our "killer content" topic based "snippets" on homeownership and renting issues.

b. Features are news items or good stories, each no more than one short paragraph in length. You may use a thumbnail photo in one or more features. You also may incorporate a link to other information or additional information on the same topic.

• Features can be used to promote new initiatives or events, such as a visit by the Secretary, National Homeownership month, etc.
• Each month, all states will have at least one feature highlighting a homeownership or renting snippet of important audience interest – "killer content."
• Features should include a header plus no more than 6 lines of text and a link to more information.
• Links to more information should be at the end of the feature paragraph
• As a rule, your features section should end with enough space to show the word "Highlights" and the first highlight link, within the first screen (at 800X600).

c. Highlights are links to current "hot topics" such as NOFAs, training opportunities, grant announcements for the state, and other timely information. These should change routinely.

• During the period when many grants are being announced, all state pages will have "grant announcements" as the first highlight (by agreement with the Headquarters Public Affairs Office).
• Some other highlights - links to Supernofa, Faith-based toolkit links, etc. – use common text
• Other specific highlights are not standardized (mandatory)
• Highlights must fit on one line. Do not use teasers on highlights.
• Use no more than 10 highlights.

d. Quick Links boxes list links to some of your most requested information – these can change regularly.

• The quick links box is below Photo Gallery box
• Do not use the quick links box to link to specific program office sections. The Assistant to the Deputy Secretary for Field Policy and Management has ruled that website visitors – like visitors to HUD offices – are to come through the FPM contacts.
• Like highlights, quick links must fit on one line, must not have teasers, and must be limited to 10 or fewer.

e. "Photo Gallery" showcases good things happening because of HUD programs.

• Normally, there is one thumbnail photo in the "Photo Gallery" box.
• Photo Gallery boxes must use the general statement ("see how HUD funds benefit your community") and can list as many as 3 cities or counties