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Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the ca.gov portal. If you have any questions, please contact eServices.

  1. Why do we have to use California's banner and logo? Why can't we just use our own?
  2. What was wrong with the old banner?
  3. We just went through a major redesign effort. Do we have to change our design again?
  4. We have lots of pages to convert over; will you provide us with a Content Management System (CMS)?
  5. I'm new to CMS and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). Can you help me?
  6. Why do we have to use the tabs? Now we have to reorganize our information to fit into the tabs and some of it won't fit.
  7. I have a suggestion or idea for the ca.gov web site or the Webmaster Toolbox (WebTools.ca.gov). Who do I talk to?
  8. What kinds of color options are available for my agency's web site?
  9. Do we have to use the Google search service for our site?
  10. What goes in the Agency Content Area, and are there any "must-haves"?
  11. When we are ready to launch our new site, what do we need to do?
  1. Why do we have to use California's banner and logo? Why can't we just use our own?
    The ca.gov logo connects services and programs to the State of California, and it signifies trust to visitors that they are on an official State site. The logo forms the foundation of the ca.gov identity and it will be used to heighten awareness of the State's electronic services. The new branding will help achieve the following goals:
    • Reinforce California's on-line presence
    • Signify to visitors that they are on an official State of California web site
    • Provide consistency of web sites within the portal – to support a “one government” approach
    • Ensure that critical State links are available from all web sites, as well as other key information
    • Creating a “common look and feel” for an extended family of related web sites
    The ca.gov was designed to maintain an appropriate degree of consistency while giving individual departments the flexibility they need to develop web sites that serve a variety of purposes and audiences. Individual departments will be able to sub-brand their sites, and provide agency-specific navigation. Sub-branding will help preserve a department's identity along with any investments they may have made while developing their own on-line presence. Departments will "own" the content and identity of their individual pages, within the templates provided.
  2. What was wrong with the old banner?
    The old State banner, which was implemented for use in 2001, uses too much space, distracts visitors from more important information on the page, and leaves visitors confused about where they are. The new banner has been designed to take up less space and to brand a page as a State web site without interfering with the presentation of information or services on the page.
  3. We just went through a major redesign effort. Do we have to change our design again?
    Many State departments have undergone or are currently undergoing redesign efforts. Hopefully, departments will be able to accommodate the new look-and-feel by November 2007. Departments are encouraged to contact the eServices Office to discuss their concerns.
  4. We have lots of pages to convert over; will you provide us with a Content Management System (CMS)?
    At this time, the Department of Technology Services doesn't offer CMS as one of its service offerings - although DTS hopes to in the future. This is one of the main reasons why we are giving agencies between six months to a year to convert over to the new design.
  5. I'm new to CMS and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). Can you help me?
    To learn about upcoming training classes offered at the Department of Technology Services (DTS), please visit the DTS training web site, and click "Course Schedule." In addition, there are a variety of resources available on CSS/CMS on WebTools.
  6. Why do we have to use the tabs? Now we have to reorganize our information to fit into the tabs and some of it won't fit.
    Tabs are in important element to the new design. The trend is moving to tabs as a way to make web pages look less cluttered. It's easier to find things when they are labeled and organized in this fashion. During the conversion, it may be a good idea to review the information that currently resides on web pages and consider whether they are easy to find. We have provided many resources to help you organize your information into the tab structure. These resources are available in the on-line toolbox.
  7. I have a suggestion or idea for the ca.gov web site or the WebTools. Who do I talk to?
    Please forward any comments, ideas, or suggestions to the eServices Office.
  8. What kinds of color options are available for my agency's web site?
    The official colors for the ca.gov branding are rust and blue. However, agencies can choose from a palette of ten predefined colors that compliment and support the official colors. The variety of colors in the palette allows agencies the ability to distinguish themselves, while at the same time, being cohesive with the overall ca.gov brand. Each color combination was carefully selected, and has been tested for accessibility and contrast.

    Packages for each of the color schemes can be downloaded from the WebTools. The package for each color scheme includes XHTML template, related graphics, style sheets, and associated instructions for use.

    If you have questions or need help choosing a color scheme, please contact the eServices Office.
  9. Do we have to use the Google search service for our site?
    No, agencies are free to choose a search engine that fits their needs. However, the search box must appear in the header of your agency's web site according to the State template. If you would like to use Google for your agency's search, the DTS offers it to you at no cost.
  10. What goes in the Agency Content Area, and are there any "must-haves"?
    Agencies are free to use the agency content area (the area between the header and the footer) as they feel appropriate. However, they must include the following items:
    • Governor’s picture (at the top of the content area)
    • Amber Alert's banner and link to CHP's web site.
    • Flex Your Power banner and link to its site (banner options).
    All of the components are described in WebTools, along with associated restrictions, if any, related to their proper usage. All of the files can be downloaded as a part of the Template Starter Package. If you have any questions about placement of these items, please contact the eServices Office.
  11. When we are ready to launch our new site, what do we need to do?
    To allow time to address any issues that may delay the launch of your site, please submit your test site to the eServices Office at least five days prior to your launch date. During that time, the eServices Office will review your site for compliance with the Ca.gov templates using the Ca.gov Standards Checklist (pdf). Our office will check to ensure you have the required elements on your page and are using the State template. However, we will not review your page for accessibility, usability, or content. If you would like to submit your site earlier than five days prior, you are encouraged to do so.