Web Content Reviews: What They Are and How We re Using Them

1. Web Content Reviews:What They Are and How We’re Using Them  InterLab 2007 Marsha Luevane National Renewable Energy Laboratory

2. What this presentation covers Background: content challenges What Web content reviews are How NREL is using them Key benefits Tips for conducting content reviews

3. Background: content challenges Large, complex sites Sites have changed since they were developed Sites have added lots of content since they were developed, often willy-nilly Some sites never delete content and are turning into repositories

4. Content challenges [2] Browse and search are gummed up We’re struggling to maintain sites We need help scaling down sites We need detailed info for maintenance and redesigns Basic content inventories don’t provide enough or detailed info

5. What content reviews are Web site content analysis Go through sites section by section, page by page Review content

6. What content reviews are [2] Identify content issues, problems, areas for improvement, and opportunities Make detailed notes on your findings End product is a document E.g., www.nrel.gov/hydrogen/

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10. Review content With an eye to Content standards and best practices E.g., is content written for the Web Date created, last reviewed, last updated Outdated content Content “archives” Are we posting conference proceedings, newsletters, etc., going back to day one

11. Review content [2] With an eye to Content gaps Collocation/consolidation Is content about the same topic located in one area Contradictory content

12. Review content [3] With an eye to Content posted elsewhere on your site – duplicate content Content posted elsewhere you could link to Related content/additional info Are there links to related content Can we help users learn more about this topic Calls to action Can we help users take action

13. Review content [4] With an eye to Context Does page/content make sense when found via searches, links, bookmarks PDFs, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint docs can be dead ends; they don’t have navigation or context when found via searches or links Format Is this the best format for this content . .

14. Review content [5] With an eye to Value Does this content add value Is this content necessary Key content Is this important content for users or clients Does it require special attention or treatment Popular content Does it require special attention or treatment

15. Review content [6] With an eye to Standard terminology E.g., publications not documents Standard treatment Treatment – and message – for similar content is the same across sites E.g., energy basics, financial opportunities, policies and procedures, publications, working with us

16. Review content [7] With an eye to Search optimization Is content optimized for searches Is this important or popular content that requires special attention

17. Review content [8] With an eye to Information architecture Is the site organization valid Do content bins work Are there new or different bins the site should be using Is the navigation system appropriate for the content Is navigation wording to standard; is the site using approved labels

18. End product Document with detailed info on content issues, problems, areas for improvement, and opportunities

19. How we’re using content reviews Maintenance Redesigns Help make decisions Retire or update content Create new content Consolidate content Link to content posted elsewhere

20. How we’re using reviews [2] Site level E.g., www.nrel.gov/hydrogen/ Mothership level What is treatment across sites E.g., treatment across sites on www.nrel.gov for content on facilities, publications, working with us

21. Key Benefits Improve content Reduce/consolidate content Make it easier and cheaper to maintain sites Improve browse and search Make it easier for users to accomplish tasks Improve overall user experience

22. Tips for conducting reviews Do your homework Site goals and purpose Standards and best practices Important content for users and clients Key tasks for users Popular content per statistics and search logs ..

23. Tips [2] Do your homework Content on mothership sites Content on other sites in your subject area Topics of frequent webmaster inquiries Topics of site feedback

24. Tips [3] Create a checklist Establish a process Incorporate content reviews in maintenance plans Conduct content reviews annually Make/keep notes in between reviews

25. Tips [4] Combine content reviews with other site analyses, e.g., statistics, search logs, and search results Use stats, search logs, and search results Help support decisions to retire content, update content, etc. Help prioritize content to review

26. Tips [5] Hire the right people Detail-oriented people who’ve done their homework Site managers and writers are more familiar with content and may be faster Outsiders provide a fresh set of eyes, have less ownership/baggage, and see content more like visitors

27. Tips [6] Use content reviews as a tool to engage your clients in content discussions Keep track of recurring issues – you might want to address them in standards and best practices Content – and budget – will drive the nature and depth of reviews ..

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