about web site re/design

Nebraska.gov creates web site designs and re-designs for counties and state agencies.

Web Site Template Standards

  • State Agencies are required to have the common header and footer as laid out in the state web standards.
  • The main page or homepage of each state government agency application should contain the words “Nebraska” or “State of Nebraska” at or near the agency name.
  • The main page or homepage of each state agency should have a link to the official Nebraska State Government Homepage, Nebraska.gov ( www.nebraska.gov ).
  • Any Nebraska state agency web site with outside links must have on its homepage a link entitled “Outside Links,” which will take you to the link disclaimer policy.
  • As a partner to the State of Nebraska all web sites must meet the 508 compliance rules under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This documentation is designed to go over all procedures for testing a web site and/or web application.
  • State agency web sites must either contain a privacy policy or link to the state privacy policy located at www.nebraska.gov .
  • Any state agency that uses cookies must adhere to the state cookie policy . This policy must be located on the site or linked from the site to the state cookie policy at www.nebraska.gov . Any approved exceptions to this policy (including non-use of cookies) should be duly noted on the agency web site .

Suggested Items

  • Web sites should have a common feel to all pages. This includes a common theme, menu and overall general layout. Avoid using different fonts and font sizes. This can cause pages to look unrelated.
  • Links to .pdf files that are large should include a file size after the link to warn potential dial-up users that there is going to be a significant download time.
  • Pop-out menus should be avoided at all costs. They may look cool, but they are an accessibility nightmare.
  • Colors are key. Avoid using Bright Colors. This includes true red and bright yellow. These colors are hard for visually impaired readers.
  • Menus should have no more than 9 items.
  • If pop-out menus are used, pages must be created for the intermediate pages.
  • Pages should break gracefully. This means that in the lower browsers with little support for CSS , the page should not look like a jigsaw puzzle.
  • A text only link should be provided if the functionality is there.
  • There should be a news link that goes to the Nebraska.gov news aggregator (possible enhancement).