9. Avoidance of Duplication: Linking to Authoritative Sources Introduction This topic discusses the need to avoid duplication by linking to an authoritative source. September 2012 Change Date VBA web content leads and/or web technical leads should avoid duplicating a. Avoiding Duplication or or recreating content that already exists on a federal website, especially Recreation of content on an authoritative VA website. Instead, web content/technical leads Web Content should make it a practice to link to the authoritative content sources. Before creating new information on a particular topic, VBA offices must determine whether the same or comparable information already exists on another VA website. The web content/technical lead should also check other federal public websites and cross-agency portals such as the website for information to which VA can provide a link. 10. Uniformity Introduction This topic addresses uniformity of the website. September 2012 Change Date VBA websites must include common terminology and share common a. Using Common branding attributes such as VA agency logos, official seals, and other Terminology recognized attributes that identify the Department through the look and feel of and Branding those pages. Attributes Simple, straightforward wording should be used to make navigational pathways easier to grasp. 11. Translation into Other Languages
9. Avoidance of Duplication: Linking to Authoritative Sources Introduction This topic discusses the need to avoid duplication by linking to an authoritative source. Change Date September 2012 a. Avoiding Duplication or Recreation of Web Content VBA web content leads and/or web technical leads should avoid duplicating or recreating content that already exists on a federal website, especially content on an authoritative VA website. Instead, web content/technical leads should make it a practice to link to the authoritative content sources. Before creating new information on a particular topic, VBA offices must determine whether the same or comparable information already exists on another VA website. The web content/technical lead should also check other federal public websites and cross-agency portals such as the website for information to which VA can provide a link. 10. Uniformity Introduction This topic addresses uniformity of the website. Change Date September 2012 a. Using Common Terminology and Branding Attributes VBA websites must include common terminology and share common branding attributes such as VA agency logos, official seals, and other recognized attributes that identify the Department through the look and feel of those pages. Simple, straightforward wording should be used to make navigational pathways easier to grasp. 11. Translation into Other Languages