Guidelines
1. Content Guidelines
- Originality: All content must be original and well-researched. Sources should be cited for factual accuracy.
- Structure: Articles should be structured with clear headings and subheadings. Use short paragraphs for readability.
- Language: Use simple, concise, and professional language. Avoid jargon unless necessary for the topic.
- SEO Best Practices: Titles, meta descriptions, and keywords should be optimized for search engines. Include internal and external links for enhanced SEO.
- Length: Articles should range from 500-1500 words, depending on the complexity of the topic.
2. Visual Media Usage
- Images: Every article should include at least one high-quality image relevant to the content. Images must be properly credited if sourced from third parties.
- Videos: Video content should be embedded where applicable. Videos should load efficiently without affecting page speed.
- Image Optimization: Compress images without losing quality to ensure faster loading times.
3. User Interaction
- Comment Sections: Enable comments on all articles. Comments must be moderated for inappropriate language or spam.
- Forums: Users should have access to a forum section for discussing topics, moderated to prevent abusive behavior.
- Social Sharing: Articles must have social sharing buttons (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) to encourage reader engagement.
4. Design and Layout
- Responsive Design: Ensure that the website is fully responsive and accessible across all devices, including mobile and tablets.
- Navigation: The site should have a clear, intuitive navigation menu. Use breadcrumbs for easy navigation.
- Typography: Use legible fonts and ensure proper contrast between text and background for readability.
- Ad Placement: Ads should be strategically placed without interrupting the user experience. Avoid pop-ups that detract from content.
5. Privacy and Security
- Data Protection: Implement GDPR-compliant data protection policies. User data must be encrypted and stored securely.
- Privacy Policy: Provide a clear privacy policy outlining data usage and protection practices.
- User Authentication: Require strong passwords for user accounts and utilize two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security.
- SSL Certificates: Ensure the site is protected with SSL encryption.
6. Performance and Optimization
- Page Speed: Optimize the site for fast loading times. Aim for a page load time of under 3 seconds.
- Cache Management: Use caching techniques to store frequently accessed content and reduce server load.
- Regular Updates: Keep CMS, plugins, and themes up to date to prevent vulnerabilities.
7. Compliance
- Copyright: All content (text, images, videos) should comply with copyright laws. Ensure proper attribution is given to content creators when necessary.
- Accessibility: Follow WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) to make the site accessible to users with disabilities.
8. Advertising and Monetization
- Ad Placement: Ads should be integrated without overwhelming the user. Use non-intrusive banner ads and avoid excessive pop-ups.
- Affiliate Links: Clearly disclose affiliate links in articles or pages, ensuring transparency with users.
9. Analytics and Reporting
- Tracking: Implement Google Analytics or other tracking tools to monitor traffic, user behavior, and content performance.
- Reports: Generate monthly performance reports to assess what content performs best and identify areas for improvement.
10. Support and Maintenance
- Content Backup: Schedule regular backups to prevent data loss.
- Technical Support: Offer a clear support channel for users to report issues.
- Site Maintenance: Schedule regular maintenance for updates, security patches, and performance enhancements.