Thank you for being part of this beta test of the new CT.Gov content Styleguide! We're thrilled to have you review the guide and offer your expert thoughts.

The team here at CT Digital Service is focused on making your work easier while helping it to have a greater impact on your users. This new content Styleguide was designed with these two principles in mind. 

The guide is linked just over there on the left under "Content Styleguide". It's broken up into separate topics for easy reading. So please take it for a spin, kick the tires, and tell us how you like the drive!

Real quick - here is how we're looking to present the finalized guide on the front page. Each section will have its own drawer which will drop down into the individual topic lesson when you click it:

The Content and Design Styleguide for CT.Gov. 

Also - here are some tools we're putting together to help you use and adopt these new content standards. We'd love to hear your thoughts on which tools you'd use most (and any other suggestions that aren't listed here!).

THE BIG 10: A QUICK-AND-EASY CHECKLIST

Downloadable/ Printable. 10 simple content-boosters that can have the biggest impact on fulfilling your users’ needs

USER-CENTERED DESIGN TIPS

Downloadable/ Printable. Top tips to make your content more readable

THE SIMPLE SEO CHECKLIST

Downloadable/ Printable. Easy guide of simple but powerful SEO tips to apply to all of your content

THE 20-MINUTE HOWDY

In-person Visit. The Styleguide authors will visit your agency for a "campfire" session with your content and system administrators. We'll go over a quick rundown of the new content standards and answer any questions you may have

CT.GOV STYLEGUIDE COMMITTEE

Email/ Intranet. Invited content admins will form CT.Gov's core Styleguide committee. They'll be able to shape future content standards as well as provide a valuable resource for others who may need help with the new guidelines

CT.GOV STYLEGUIDE - EZ APP

App. An easy-to-use desktop or mobile app that puts all the basic pieces of the Styleguide at fingertip reach

WRITING TIP GENERATOR

Styleguide Portal/ In-App. Text box that will randomly generate simple but helpful writing and design tips taken directly from the CT.Gov Styleguide

STYLEGUIDE HEATMAP

Styleguide Portal. Sections of the Styleguide that authors access most will display on the page as hotter colors. This will help visually cue the most helpful and relevant info to others. We'll also prioritize these sections for ongoing updates

STYLEGUIDE INFOGRAPHIC

Downloadable/ Printable. Highly visual graphical representation of the “content journey.” Presents top tips for content authors on each stage of the journey (core principles, writing standards, design standards, SEO)

STYLEGUIDE VIDEO GUIDE

Styleguide Portal/ Downloadable. “How to” video that walks users through each main section of the Styleguide

MINDSET MAP

Styleguide Portal/ In-app. We'll apply user data from your agency to create personas for your most common customers (resistant, resourceful, hesitant, vulnerable, etc.). We’ll turn this into a “mindset map” with specific suggestions on how to help your content better serve these various personas

Ok, go check out the Styleguide now and send along your thoughts!