How To Create A CMS Style Guide For Editors
BeginnerQuick Answer
TL;DR
Create a CMS style guide for editors by documenting your brand voice and tone, content formatting standards (heading usage, list styles, image guidelines), naming conventions for content items and slugs, SEO requirements (meta descriptions, alt text), media specifications (image sizes, file formats), and publishing workflow steps. Make the style guide accessible within the CMS itself — not buried in a separate document. Include examples of good and bad content, and update the guide as your content standards evolve.
Key Takeaways
- Embed style guide guidance directly in the CMS interface — field descriptions, validation messages, and help text — so editors see it at the moment they need it
- Cover naming conventions, SEO requirements, and media specs alongside voice and tone — these are the most common sources of inconsistency
- Treat the style guide as a living document; schedule quarterly reviews to keep it current