Website Guidelines & Best Practices

Purpose: To ensure the Austin Peay State University website remains accessible, consistent, and trustworthy. These guidelines are not just rules—they are the standards that help our website serve prospective students and our community effectively.

Core Standards

These principles apply to every page you create.

• Accessibility Hub

  • Start Here. The foundational rules for ADA compliance. Learn about the "Heading Hierarchy" (H1-H6) and why Alt Text is mandatory for every image.

• Hyperlink Behavior

  • The "Golden Rules" of linking. Learn when to open a link in a New Window (Documents) vs. the Same Window (Webpages), and how to write descriptive link text that passes accessibility checks.

Media & Specific Policies

Rules for specific file types and content.

• PDF & Document Standards

  • "Should this be a PDF or a Webpage?" Read the policy on why webpages are preferred for mobile users and accessibility. Learn the strict file naming conventions required to prevent broken links.

• Usage of AI Images

  • Our policy on authenticity. Learn what is prohibited (generating fake people/campus) and what is permitted (abstract art), along with the mandatory labeling requirements for AI content.

Need Technical Help?

If you are looking for step-by-step instructions on how to use the CMS (e.g., "How do I upload an image?"), please visit the CMS Help Guide.