Last updated on June 27, 2025
Using common questions (FAQs)
Here are the guidelines when creating a common question (FAQ) page.
Avoid Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) web page should be used very rarely.
Plainlanguage.gov guidelines
- f you write clear web content that is easy to navigate and answers your readers questions, you will not need to create a FAQ.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) can be overwhelming and leave your customers searching through a sea of content.
- Often your best solution is a clear, well-organized main content page explaining a process.
- Use real customer feedback. Do not assume what kinds of questions people will have. Monitor customer calls and emails to create helpful FAQs.Use language that non-experts will understand. Use plain language when drafting FAQs. Do not burden your reader with insider jargon or undefined acronyms.
Read the plainlanguage.gov article
City guidelines
- Rather than using a common questions web page, publish content on a web page as informational statements.
- If you are receiving questions repeatedly, make your existing web content more clear and add any missing information.
- Never use a common questions web page as the only source of the information. It should be presented on a web page first.
What to include a page
- The page header should be Common questions.
- Include frequently asked questions in the summary sentence.
- Put the FAQs in an accessible PDF.
- Use a document gateway page.