Web and social media

Digital channels are successful when we provide useful information, foster relationships and drive meaningful engagement with audiences.

Web content

Two UCalgary students work on a laptop in the library

Writing for Web

Write better website content and align with your users' online needs and behaviours.

Web writing best practices
Two students study on a laptop

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Enhance your content’s performance to increase higher-quality traffic from search engines.

SEO tips
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Web Accessibility

Make your website more inclusive and accessible to your audience.

Accessibility best practices

Keep these tips in mind:

Be engaging

Does it matter to the user? Ask yourself this question about every paragraph, every sentence, and every word.

Be direct

Is this what the user is looking for? Put important information up at the top of the page.

Be concise

We want everyone to get what they need from our website, quickly and easily. Use plain language.

Keep it simple

Structure your page to be scannable. Break up content with headlines, subheadings, bullet lists and calls to action.

Have questions about websites? Contact the Digital Experience Team.

Our brand on social media

The UCalgary brand can be used on official university social media channels representing a variety of areas across the institution. Use of the logo and other marks are not permitted on personal accounts.

Avatars

UCalgary avatars help link the channel to the university.
(Note: these treatments of UCalgary’s logo are specific to social media avatars. Use the full UCalgary logo in all other situations.)

To inquire about special circumstances where the use of a different avatar may be considered, please contact the Brand team.

Image showing the three types of UCalgary social media avatars

Images

UCalgary imagery can be used for cover and post images. Images of the campus and campus community members, or official graphics in support of UCalgary campaigns are great options. 
 

UCalgary campus outside in the spring

Hashtags

UCalgary has official hashtags that tie back to specific university activities. Employ camel case style for different words to make them accessible for screen readers is recommended. Examples include: 
•    #UCalgary
•    #MyUCalgary
•    #UCalgaryGrad
•    #UCalgaryGivingDay
•    #GoDinos
•    #UCalgaryAlumni 

To ensure campaign hashtags suit the brand of the university and are thoroughly researched to mitigate risk, please seek approval from a faculty/unit communicator beforehand or check with the social media team if you think there might already be a hashtag you can leverage. 
 

Four UCalgary students pose for a selfie photo with the Dinos mascot

Writing tips for social media:

Be real

People want to interact personally with real human beings on social media. We are:

  • Personable and helpful
  • Authentic and approachable

 

Listen first

Listen and understand conversations before you consider replying. When listening, be:

  • Non-intrusive 
  • Research-focused

Be responsive

Social media is a two-way interaction, not a personal broadcast mechanism. Make sure you are:

  • Having real conversations
  • Posting regularly

 

Add value

People who interact with us should feel like they're receiving more than they're giving. We have:

  • Clear value to our audience
  • A helpful attitude

Have social media questions? Contact our Senior Manager, Content and Social Media Services.