• Write all content in plain English, and explain all abbreviations and jargon.
• Include a summary or bullet points of the main information at the beginning of the content.
• Try to make paragraphs no more than two or three sentences, breaking up the text into short chunks.
• Use headings and subheadings to break up sections of text and create structure.
• Use bullet points for all lists of three things or more.

It is important to write simply and consider the reading order of your content so that it flows naturally. If you are unsure, test your content by asking someone to read through it to make sure the language and order makes sense.

Formatting of text

Avoid using italics or bold, underlining text and overuse of capital letters, as the text could be mistaken for a heading and large amounts can be hard to read for users with visual impairments. Instead, create emphasis through what you write.

Numbered lists

Use numbered lists when describing a sequence that must appear in a specific order, such as a set of instructions, a series of sequential questions or a top 10 list. These lists follow a similar style to bulleted lists, but:

• must be a complete, concise single sentence
• have an initial capital letter in the first word
• end with a full stop or question mark

Remedial actions to take for quality assurance:

1. Clarify contact details for Consumer Intelligence.
2. Seek further quality assurance information from Consumer Intelligence.
3. Establish a dedicated contact for Moneyfact and keep current.
4. Seek further detail of Moneyfact’s quality assurance procedures.

Directional text

Do not use directional text, such as “click here” or “the list below”, as this could be misleading for people using various tools to browse the website.

We are constantly improving based on research and best practice. Any significant changes to our guidance are available on the Updates page.

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