REQUIRED ELEMENTS

REQUIRED IMAGE
REQUIRED LINK
by USGenWeb

For further information, see Section IX, Subsection A.

» Approved USGenWeb Logos
» Logo MUST link to The USGenWeb Project page.
» Multiple logos available.
» Logo to be prominent.
"Prominent", per Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is defined as "standing out; readily noticeable; conspicuous."
Not required in header but often found there. Also in sidebar.
NOTE: Logo in footer is not considered prominent.
Almost all;
» top right in header.
» in sidebar.

REQUIRED IMAGE
REQUIRED LINK
by MOGenWeb
The MOGenWeb Project Logo
Approved MOGenWeb Logos.
Logo MUST link to The MOGenWeb Project page - multiple logos available. Link: https://moGenWeb.org/ Logo visible when page is accessed. Suggested location: left of h1 title in header. Index templates will have in header.

REQUIRED SEARCH
by USGenWeb
A working internal Search MUST be on every site. » Suggested "free" searches are siteLevel and FreeFind. Account on selected program needed to implement. Instructions and HTML code are provided by the company. Suggested location: header or first in a sidebar.
» If search is in header, AND MOGenWeb templates used, search is available on [almost] every page.
Index templates in header. Can be in sidebar.

REQUIRED COORDINATOR LIST
by MOGenWeb
Coordinator(s) for County MUST appear on index page.
see "Required for all" 
https://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/scccguidelines.html
Choose one of the two options from HTML & code for MOgen Team. Your name to be added in the copied code. Suggested location: on index page near the bottom of content or sidebar. Index templates, lower sidebar or near bottom of page.

REQUIRED: ENSURE APPROPRIATE CONTENT
by USGenWeb & MOGenWeb
No offensive, political, or religious displays. Pictures of churches in your county are fine.
IMPORTANT! ENSURE ADHERENCE RE COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS, from USGenWeb

  • No copyrighted materials shall be uploaded without the permission of the author(s).
  • No copyrighted materials from any publication copyrighted within 75 years from now shall be allowed into archives without written permission of the owners of the copyright.
  • Refer to The MOGenWeb Project Policies & Procedures, effective 2 Jun 2025.
ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Compliance removes unnecessary obstacles for people with disabilities that limit their access to MOgen information, products, and resources.

REQUIRED
for ACCESSIBILITY
No images that "blink" or "flash" . Examples: animated GIFs, flashing banners, rotating GIFs, etc. These were everywhere years ago.
Why? Can cause some people to go into a seizure, especially those with epilepsy.
» PLEASE DO NOT USE.

REQUIRED
for ACCESSIBILITY
Do not use colors red on green or green on red in text or images. Red/green is the most common color blindness. People having the condition see just gray. Example:
Below is the same sentence...
Can you read this?
Now red on green: Can you read this?
STRONGLY SUGGESTED ELEMENTS

STRONGLY SUGGESTED
by MOGenWeb
Link to Missouri MOGenWeb Home Page Note: Even if logo has link, a text link is expected.
https://moGenWeb.org/
Suggested location is in a "Quick Links" section & possibly in footer. All templates w/footers.

STRONGLY SUGGESTED
by USGenWeb
Basic history of your county
» When formed, from what parent county, county seat, etc.
If county seat or other towns in county have their own civic web pages, consider adding links to them. » Wish to add more history? Create separate page & have a link in your "basic history" to it.
» If located on index page, should not be only content seen other than navigation.
All index templates will have example.

STRONGLY SUGGESTED
by MOGenWeb
Working links to your neighboring counties » Because counties sometimes are birthed from other adjacent counties.
» And county lines were redrawn from time of formation to present day.
Suggested location: a section in a sidebar. On all index templates.

STRONGLY SUGGESTED
by MOGenWeb
Address & web link (if existing) to: » local genealogy society,
» historical society,
» local public library
Note: genealogy/historical societies are combined in some counties.
Suggested location: box in sidebar or separate "Research" or "Resources" page. May appear in some.

STRONGLY SUGGESTED
by MOGenWeb
Remove Queries. » Email addresses on query pages almost always invalid. Therefore, query pages are no longer useful.
» Note: If you choose to keep them, please add the following to the top of the page, possibly under the header:
BUT Expect the emails in these queries to be invalid.
If date of last query is known, include: Last query date: [provide date]

STRONGLY SUGGESTED
by MOGenWeb
Perform a Broken Link check on a Quarterly Basis. Free online link checkers available:
Xneu ~ W3C Validator
Downloadable free link checkers are also available.

STRONGLY SUGGESTED
by MOGenWeb
Backgrounds suggested to not use: » Busy backgrounds.
» Backgrounds with repeating images down one or more sides such as the MO flag, or a person's image.
If unsure, contact MOgen ASC & Tech Advisor.
Some templates will show approved backgrounds.

Checklist & Guidelines prepared by MOGenWeb Team.