Top level and second level pages

What's related > Creating a two-column layout | Creating 'quick links' boxes | Creating 'highlights' boxes | Creating 'contents' boxes | Creating 'you are here' navigation trails | Best practice for web pages: summary

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Archive of FrontPage 'Top level and second level pages' information:

Please note, this section is not relevant for non-LSE template web pages.

There are three kinds of pages in a standard set of LSE web pages: a top level page, a second level page, and a contents page.

Top level page

This is the first impression users will have of your pages, so it's important that it communicates what you are about. In order to maintain consistency and style across the site, it is important that you structure and position the components as described below. To see an example of a top level page, see Meet the Director.

Mandatory components

The introductory brief: Not more than 100 words, this short paragraph should concisely and accurately tell users what the pages are about.

Contents box: This is the main way in to all of the content available on the site. The contents box should only be used to link to the next level down within the site structure. (Any other links should be in the quick links box.) It is important that the way the content is categorised is clear to the audience. You should not have more than nine top level categories. For help with the structure of your site, please contact the Editor (lsewebsite@lse.ac.uk).

The contents box should always be on the right-hand side of the page.

Address and contacts: This is very important. Many people looking at your website will want to contact you or find you. Putting this information on the top level page makes it very easy for them. Links to the Who's who within your site and to the general LSE maps and directions are also recommended here.

The address and contacts box should always be on the left-hand side of the page, below the quick links box (if you have one).

Optional components

Latest, highlights or news box: Use this box to highlight  news items, dates or features. This box should be frequently updated. An out of date 'latest' box is very obvious. Don't include the whole news item here if it is longer than 20 words. Put in a headline, a brief description and then a 'More' link. The 'more' must have an alt-tag - see Adding alt-tags to links - and be in italics. The box itself should be positioned under the introductory brief.

Quick links:  Provides a quick way of getting to content within your site that is not immediately visible from the contents box; or it can link to relevant LSE web pages. You shouldn't have more than ten quick links. They should each be on their own line, with a midi-dot at the start of the line. You can insert a midi dot by holding down the Alt key and selecting 0149 from the number keys. The quick links box goes beneath a latest, highlights or news box and above the address and contacts box.

Second level page

From the top level page, users can either go to a second level page or a contents page. A second level page is needed when there is too much like-material to go straight to a contents page. For example, the page you most likely accessed this page from -  Types of pages - is a second level page. Use it when you have a lot of like-content that needs to be grouped together.

Mandatory components

Introductory brief: Tell the user what the coming pages are about in 100 words or less.

Contents box: List the relevant subsections - there shouldn't be more than ten subcategories. The contents box should only be used to link to the next level down within the site structure. The box should always be on the right-hand side of the page.

Optional components

Quick links box: Provides a quick way of getting to content within your site that is not immediately visible from the contents box; or it can link to relevant LSE web pages. You shouldn't have more than ten quick links. They should each be on their own line, with a midi-dot at the start of the line. The quick links box must go under the introductory brief.

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