This page is designed to show the conventions an standards
used to ensure that FreeBMD has a consistent Look and Feel. It is written (so far as possible) to conform to the standards.
Remember that achieving a consistent "look and feel" is only 20% of writing good web pages. High quality content, proof
read by somebody else is far more critical.
The title should contain a long description of the page
The page heading should always appear alongside the stamp, aligned center, black font in H1 style.
The page heading should repeat the page title, but in a concise format, omiting the word "FreeBMD"
Main Headings
Main Headings describe major sub-divisions of the subject matter
As a rule of thumb, if people are likely (on first coming to a page) to jump direct to a
section, it is a Main heading. If they are likely to read through paragraph by paragraph, it is a
sub heading (see below)
Main Headings are left aligned, in red in style H2.
Sub Headings
This is a sub heading
Sub Headings provide a single line preview of the subject matter of a paragraph
The difference between sub headings and main headings is described above
Sub Headings should be used in long text pages to break up large blocks of text
Sub Headings are left aligned, in black, in style H3.
Lists
Make use of UL to produce bullet points
Make use of OL to produce numbered lists
Tables
Use tables without borders to achieve a neat layout
Column 1
Column 2
Text
Text
Use tables with borders to present data.
Column 1
Column 2
Text
Text
Bold Italics and Colour
Where Emphasis is required, use BoldItalics or red
Use emphasis sparingly
Avoid the use of other colours
Use background colours to match events
Ordinary Colour
Dark colour
Births
Births
Marriages
Marriages
Deaths
Deaths
General Layout & Exceptions
General Layout
No horizontal rule between the heading and the page
Use an introductory sentence about the page before the first sub heading
Use emb3.jpg as the background
Handcrafted HTML, produced by craftsmen (and women) is the order of the day. MS FrontPage gives us apoplexy.
Exceptions
banner advert.
Pages that actually display index data use a modified copyright strapline that incorporates ONS copyright of the data above and below the data
The Homepage (curiously) has no link to the Homepage).
Page Foot
The code at the foot of this page (from the link to the home page onwards) is standard for all pages (except those that are noted elsewhere)
Website Standards