Content types

Every page on SF.gov uses a content type. The content type dictates the design and content elements of the page.

Using content types correctly also helps give structure to SF.gov.

Each type serves a specific user need, like get a service, find out about a meeting, or learn about a news story. Site visitors build a mental model about what to expect of each page they reach. It’s important to choose the most accurate content type for your user need.

For each content type, we start with discovery research, reuse elements when possible, and iterate based on feedback. Through this process, we scale the content structure across the City via flexible templates that we continue to refine.

Table of contents

See /wiki/spaces/SFGOV/pages/1845526529 and technical considerations for content types

Services

Helps San Franciscans get something done

Transaction

A step in a service that the user has to act on, usually by applying

Info page
Reference information that is not actionable.

Step by step
Process involving multiple steps or transactions

Location
A place the public needs to visit

Outreach

Informs the public about what SF is doing

News

Press release or announcement

Event
Public or community events (not public meetings)

Campaign
Ongoing informational or outreach campaign, with a singular message

Department table
Show or compare content across departments

Department support

Informs the public about what a specific department is doing

About More details about a department’s vision and mission.	Public body Committees, commissions, task forces, boards (attached to a department)	Meeting Meeting held by a public body, with agenda and minutes.	Profile City leadership or staff person
Data story Embed data (PowerBI) dashboards, with summaries and explanations	Reports Long documents that are typically not updated after publishing.	Resource Collection List of PDFs, data, or resources