Over the last several releases, we have continued to improve accessibility validation within cutheme. Some of these changes have introduced new checks, while others have improved existing validation to better identify accessibility issues before content is published.

As a result, some content creators may notice additional warnings, publishing restrictions, or validation messages that were not previously visible. While these validations may feel new, the accessibility requirements behind them are not.

Summary of this post

This is an important topic so there is a lot to take in in this post. However, it can all be summarized as:

• Web accessibility is core to our efforts at 杏吧原创
• We have had accessibility checkers in cutheme for some time now
• We have now enhanced these so you might have to correct your content more frequently
• Accessibility is there to make the lives of everybody easier
• Review the checks described below so you can tell why you cannot publish/save a page

You can also learn more on our Web Accessibilty website.

Accessibility Requirements Are Not New

Accessibility has been a requirement for 杏吧原创 websites for well over a decade. These requirements did not originate with cutheme, WordPress, Gutenberg, or the Enterprise Solutions & Integrations team.

What has changed is our ability to identify accessibility issues earlier in the content creation process.

Historically, accessibility issues were often discovered during manual reviews, audits, or after content had already been published. As cutheme has evolved, we have introduced automated validation that helps identify many of these issues while content is being created.

Our goal is to provide content creators with immediate feedback, reduce the number of accessibility issues reaching production websites, and make it easier to create content that meets accessibility requirements from the start.

Why We Continue to Add Validation

Accessibility validation is an ongoing effort. As new opportunities are identified, additional checks may be introduced to help content creators catch issues before publication.

In some cases, this means introducing validation for requirements that were previously reviewed manually. In other cases, it means improving existing validation to catch scenarios that were not previously detected.

For example, heading hierarchy validation has existed within cutheme for some time. More recent improvements expanded this validation to properly evaluate the first heading used within page content, ensuring that the existing rule is applied more consistently.

The requirement itself has not changed. The validation has become more accurate.

These Requirements Will Remain

Accessibility requirements are not optional and exceptions will not be made to bypass accessibility validation.

While we understand that validation may occasionally require additional effort when creating content, these requirements exist to ensure that our websites remain accessible to all users, including those who rely on assistive technologies.

For that reason, accessibility-related validation rules will not be removed simply because they create additional work or require content to be updated.

Why Can’t Accessibility Issues Be Ignored?

Accessibility requirements are only effective when they are consistently followed.

While some issues are presented as warnings, others can prevent content from being published until they are corrected. This approach helps ensure that known accessibility barriers are addressed before content reaches a live website.

The purpose of these validations is not to make publishing more difficult. They exist to help content creators identify and correct issues early, when they are typically much easier to resolve.

Finding Accessibility Issues in the Editor

To help content creators address issues quickly, accessibility validation is built directly into the editing experience.

Reviewing Issues on Individual Blocks

When a block contains an accessibility issue, it will be highlighted with a coloured outline:

• Red indicates an error that must be corrected.
• Yellow indicates a warning that should be reviewed.

Selecting the block will reveal a red or yellow accessibility icon in the block toolbar. Clicking this icon displays detailed information about the issue or issues associated with that block.

Reviewing Issues Across the Entire Page

For a top-down view of accessibility issues across an entire page or post, click the red or yellow accessibility icon located in the upper-right corner of the editor, near the Save or Publish button.

This panel provides a consolidated list of accessibility issues identified throughout the document and allows you to quickly navigate to the affected blocks.

Common Accessibility Validations

The following list highlights some of the accessibility validations currently performed within cutheme. This is not a complete list and may change as new validation is added.

Headings

• The first heading in page content must be an H2.
• Heading levels must not be skipped.
• Consecutive heading hierarchy must be maintained.

Images

• Most images are required to have alternative text
• However, an option to mark as decorative is available
• Image alternative text should not exceed 125 characters in length
• The images alternative text and caption should not match
• Alternative text will be checked for generic patterns such as 鈥淎 picture鈥� or 鈥淎n image鈥�

Buttons

• Buttons are required to have text and a link

Table

• Tables are required to have a heading row

Content Titles

• Pages, posts and other custom post types are required to have a title

We Welcome Feedback

While accessibility requirements themselves are not negotiable, we are always looking for ways to improve the authoring experience.

If validation messages are unclear, difficult to understand, or lack sufficient guidance, we want to hear from you. Feedback helps us improve error messaging, documentation, training materials, and the overall workflow for content creation.

Many of the improvements introduced over the last several releases have come directly from feedback provided by content creators. That feedback continues to help us refine both the validation system and the supporting documentation around it.

Our goal is not to make publishing more difficult. Our goal is to help content creators identify accessibility issues earlier, provide clearer guidance on how to resolve them, and ensure that the content published on 杏吧原创 websites remains accessible to everyone.

The post Understanding Accessibility Validation in cutheme appeared first on cutheme docs.

While standard paragraphs work well for many types of content, blocks such as Tables, Columns, and Feature Cards can help present information in a more organized, visually appealing, and easy-to-scan format.

Choosing the right block can improve readability, accessibility, and the overall user experience. This guide will help you decide which block is the best fit for your content!

Start with Your Content

Before choosing a block, ask:

• Are you comparing information?
• Are you organizing related content side-by-side?
• Are you highlighting key actions or services?

Your answers will help determine the best block.

Table Block

Use a Table when:

• Comparing data
• Displaying schedules
• Showing fees, deadlines, or requirements
• Presenting data in rows and columns with meaningful headers

For example:

Avoid Tables for:

• Page layout
• Large blocks of text, images or complex content
• Content that isn’t truly tabular

Accessibility Tip:

Use table headings so screen readers can understand the relationships between cells

Column Block

Use Columns When:

• Displaying related content side-by-side
• Creating balanced page layouts
• Presenting images and text together

For example, use columns for new student information:

Columns Tip:

Columns work best when the content is related and of roughly equal length, allowing users to compare or scan information side-by-side.

Feature Cards

Use Feature Cards when:

• Highlighting services, resources, or key actions
• Creating visual navigation
• Drawing attention to important content

Example:

• Apply Now
• Request Information
• Explore Programs

Why Use Them?

Feature cards create a clear visual hierarchy and help users quickly scan a page. They are a nice design element to break up content.

Quick Decision Guide

Choosing the right block helps visitors find information faster and makes pages easier to scan. When in doubt, focus on your content’s purpose first, then select the block that best supports that goal.

The post What Block Should I Use? appeared first on cutheme docs.

Good headings make your content easier to read, easier to navigate, and easier to find. In just a few minutes, you can improve your page by using headings correctly.

Why Headings Matter

Headings help visitors quickly scan a page and find the information they need.

They also:

• Improve accessibility for screen reader users
• Help search engines understand your content
• Break up large blocks of text
• Make pages easier to read on mobile devices

Think of headings as a roadmap for your page.

Your Page Title is Already the H1

In cutheme, the page title automatically becomes the page’s main heading (H1).

That means you don’t need to add another H1 within your content.

Instead, start your page sections with Heading 2 (H2) blocks.

For example:

Page Title (H1): Undergraduate Admissions

H2: Admission Requirements

H2: Important Dates

H2: Tuition and Fees

Five Tips for Using Headings

1. Use Headings in Logical Order

Headings should follow a hierarchy.

For example:

H2: Programs

   H3: Undergraduate Programs

   H3: Graduate Programs

H2: Admission Requirements

   H3: Domestic Students

   H3: International Students

Each heading level supports the one above it.

2. Don’t Skip Levels

Try to move through heading levels in order:

H2 鈫� H3 鈫� H4

Instead of:

H2 鈫� H4

A clear structure helps assistive technologies understand your content.

3. Don’t Use Headings to Make Text Bigger

A heading should indicate a section of content 0 not be used for formatting.

Instead of choosing a heading because you like how it looks, ask:

Does the text introduce a new section?

• If the answer is yes, use a heading.
• If not, use regular paragraph text or another formatting option.

4. Make Headings Descriptive

Good headings tell visitors what they’ll find next.

Clear headings help both people and search engines understand your content.

5. Break Up Long Pages with Headings and Subheadings

If your page contains several long paragraphs without headings, visitors may struggle to scan the content. Adding headings creates natural stopping points and makes pages feel more approachable.

A good rule of thumb: if a section covers a new topic, give it a heading.

Quick Heading Checklist

Before publishing a page, check that:

• The page title clearly describes the page topic
• Major sections use H2 headings
• Subsections use H3 headings when needed
• Heading levels follow a logical order
• Headings are descriptive and meaningful
• Headings are used for structure, not appearance

Final Tip

Try reading only the headings on your page.

If someone can understand the main topics without reading the full text, you’ve probably created a strong heading structure.

It’s one of the simplest improvements you can make for readability, accessibility, and SEO all at the same time!

For more guidance on creating accessible headings, see our web accessibility article, Create Proper Subheadings.

The post Using Headings Properly: A Quick SEO & Accessibility Win appeared first on cutheme docs.

Good website content should be easy to find, easy to understand, and easy to use. That is where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes in.

The good news is that strong SEO does not require technical expertise. The most effective SEO practices are really about creating clear, organized, helpful content for your audience.

Here are some simple and effective SEO tips to keep in mind when creating or updating website content.

1. Start with a Clear Purpose

Before writing a page, think about what the page is trying to accomplish.

Ask yourself:

• What information is the user looking for?
• What question does this page answer?
• What action should visitors take after reading it?

Pages that focus on one clear topic are generally easier for both users and search engines to understand.

For example, a page focused on 鈥淯ndergraduate Scholarship Deadlines鈥� is clearer and more search-friendly than a broad page called 鈥淪tudent Information.鈥�

2. Write Clear and Descriptive Titles

Your page title is one of the most important SEO elements on the page. It is often the first thing users see in search results.

Good titles should:

• Clearly describe the page content
• Include important keywords naturally
• Be concise and specific

Avoid vague titles like: Home, Resources, or Information.

Instead, aim for titles that explain exactly what users will find on the web page.

Example

• Less effective: 鈥淩esidence Information鈥�
• Better: 鈥淎pplying for Residence at 杏吧原创鈥�

3. Use Headings and Sub-headings to Organize Content

Headings help structure your content, make pages accessible, and make it easier for visitors to scan and read.

They also help search engines better understand the content hierarchy on a page.

In WordPress, headings should follow a logical structure:

• H1 for the page title (this is the default set in the template, you do not need to chage anything)
• H2 for main sections
• H3 for subsections within those sections

Good headings are descriptive and help users quickly locate the information they need.

Large blocks of unbroken text can be difficult to read online, so headings are especially important for longer pages.

4. Write in Plain Language

University websites serve many different audiences, including prospective students, current students, faculty, staff, researchers, alumni, and community members.

Clear, plain language improves accessibility, readability, and SEO.

Some simple ways to improve readability include:

• Using shorter sentences and paragraphs
• Avoiding jargon and acronyms where possible
• Writing in active voice
• Using bullet lists to break up information

Writing clearly helps users quickly understand information.

5. Focus on Helpful Content

Search engines prioritize content that is useful and relevant to users.

When creating content, focus on answering real questions people may have. Think about the terms and phrases your audience would naturally search for.

Helpful content often includes:

• Clear explanations
• Specific details
• Up-to-date information
• Frequently asked questions
• Links to related resources

Avoid creating pages with very little content or repeating the same information across multiple pages.

6. Use Keywords Naturally

Keywords are the words or phrases people type into search engines.

A good approach is to consider how your audience would search for information on your page.

For example, prospective students might search for:

• 鈥済raduate application deadlines鈥�
• 鈥渃ampus parking permits鈥�
• 鈥渟tudy abroad programs鈥�

Include important keywords naturally throughout your content, especially in:

• Page titles
• Headings
• Opening paragraphs
• Link text
• Image alt text

Avoid overusing keywords. Content should always sound clear and human.

7. Add Meaningful Links

Internal links help users discover related content and improve site navigation.

When linking to other pages:

• Use descriptive link text
• Make it clear where the link will go

Avoid generic phrases like:

• Click here
• Read more

Instead, use descriptive text such as:

• 鈥淰iew undergraduate admission requirements鈥�
• 鈥淟earn more about accessibility鈥�

This improves both usability and accessibility.

8. Optimize Images

Images can support both accessibility and SEO when used properly.

Where appropriate:

• Add descriptive alt text to images
• Use images that support the page content
• Compress large images before uploading

Alt text should briefly describe the image and its purpose. Find out more about using alt text.

9. Keep Content Updated

Outdated information can frustrate users and reduce trust in a website.

Review pages regularly to ensure:

• Dates and deadlines are current
• Contact information is accurate
• Links still work
• Add news posts

Even small updates can improve the quality and reliability of content over time.

Remember: Good SEO Supports Good User Experience

At its core, SEO is about helping people find and understand information.

Creating clear, organized, accessible, and useful content benefits everyone:

• Website visitors
• Search engines
• Content creators

Small improvements, such as clearer headings, better titles, and simpler language, can make a significant difference in how effectively content performs online.

When creating content, focus first on helping your audience. Strong SEO will follow naturally.

The post SEO Tips: Creating Content That People (and Search Engines) Can Find appeared first on cutheme docs.

Uploaded a PDF last year and just spotted a typo? Need to update someone鈥檚 bio photo?

In the old version of our theme (cms), you could delete the file and upload a new one with the same name. That doesn鈥檛 work anymore.

Deleting and re-uploading on cutheme creates a new URL, which can break links on your site.

Instead, use Smart Media Replacement. It lets you update the file while keeping the original URL exactly the same.

Why This Is So Helpful

Replacing media using this method allows you to:

• Replace media files while keeping the original URL
• Preserve all existing links (internal and external)

In other words, you can update the file without breaking your site!

It works for PDFs, images, Word documents – basically any file type uploaded to the media library.

How to Replace a Media File (Step-by-Step)

1. In the dashboard, go to Media 鈫� Library
2. Click the icon at the top left to view your library in list mode

3. Find the file you want to replace.
4. Hover over the file name and click Replace.

5. Select your new file (with a matching filename)

Important Requirements

Before replacing a file, make sure:

• The filename is exactly the same
  If the original is “document1.pdf,” the new file must also be “document1.pdf.”
• The file type is the same
  You can鈥檛 replace a PDF with a Word document, or a PNG with a JPG.
• Image dimensions match (images only)
  The width and height must be identical to avoid layout issues.

That’s it! No broken links. No re-embedding. No hunting through pages.

Questions?

• If you have questions about replacing your files, 鈥� we鈥檙e happy to help.
• This feature uses the Smart Media Replacement plugin. For more information, visit the .

The post How to Replace a Media File in cutheme (Without Breaking Anything) appeared first on cutheme docs.

We鈥檙e excited to share a new way to highlight your media mentions 鈥� the In the Media block!

This new feature makes it easy to showcase articles, interviews, and news stories featuring your team or department. Whether you鈥檝e been quoted in a local paper or featured in a national publication, this block brings those stories front and center.

Why you鈥檒l love it:

• Quick and easy to set up
• Clean, organized design
• Perfect for sharing your latest press coverage

Curious to see it in action? Check out how the newsroom uses it in their 杏吧原创 in the News section.

Ready to give it a try? Explore the full guide here:

The post Introducing the 鈥淚n the Media鈥� Block! appeared first on cutheme docs.

For anyone adding images to posts, pages, people profiles, or content blocks 鈥� here鈥檚 a quick reference to help you choose the right size and keep everything looking great across the site.

Recommended Image Sizes

Banner / Wide Image

1600 x 700 px
Use this large, wide format for page banners.

Featured Images (Pages, Posts, Events, Stories)

600 x 400 px
This is your go-to size for featured images. It keeps things looking clean and consistent when you use a Card or Listing block.

Featured Card Block

600 x 400 px
Even though the display is a smaller format, upload the same size as featured images! Keeps a nice, even look across cards.

Text and Image Block

At least 768 px wide
For best results, upload an image that鈥檚 at least 768 pixels across so it stays sharp and clear.

People Posts – Bio Pics

400 x 400 px (square)
Perfect for profile or team photos.

In the Media – Bio Pics

400 x 400 px (square)
The same square size works great here, too.

Quick Tip

If you鈥檙e unsure, go a bit larger (keeping the same proportions). cutheme will handle the resizing for you!

Accessibility Notes

• Always add clear, descriptive alt text when uploading images.
• Avoid making text a part of images.

The post cutheme Image Size Cheat Sheet appeared first on cutheme docs.

This change provides you with more flexibility in terms of how your content appears and its performance in search engines.

Page Title

• The page title is the main title of your page.
• It appears in your browser tab, search engine results (like Google), and may also be used by screen readers for accessibility.
• From an SEO perspective, the page title is critical鈥攊t helps search engines understand what your page is about, and it鈥檚 often the first thing people see when deciding whether to click through to your site.
• Best practice: make sure your page title is clear, descriptive, and includes relevant keywords.

Page Banner

• The page banner is the large, visual header that displays at the top of your page.
• It鈥檚 meant for design, branding, and creating a strong first impression for visitors once they land on your page.
• Unlike the page title, it doesn鈥檛 directly affect SEO, but it plays a big role in user experience.

Why We Separated Them

In the past, the page title and the banner title were always the same by default. This could limit flexibility鈥攆or example, you might want a shorter, keyword-rich page title for SEO, but a more descriptive or welcoming banner title for readers.

By separating them, you now get the best of both worlds:

• Strong, optimized page titles that improve search optimization.
• Custom banner titles that match the tone, style, or design of your page without being tied to SEO rules.

Best Practices

To get the most out of this update, keep these tips in mind:

Page Titles

• Aim for 50鈥�60 characters so your title doesn鈥檛 get cut off in search results (Google).
• Place the most important keywords near the beginning.
• Make sure each page has a unique title.

Page Banners

• Use them to set the mood or theme of your content.
• Choose wording that feels welcoming and clear to your audience.
• Keep it short and easy to read at a glance.

Together

• Think of your page title as your SEO tool and your banner as your design tool.
• They don鈥檛 have to match (but can), and should complement each other.

How to add page and banner titles

1. Add the page title at the very top of the web page next to “SEO Title.”
2. Add the banner title in the first content block (Text & Image or Wide Image) at the top of the page.

The post Page Titles and Page Banners: What鈥檚 the Difference? appeared first on cutheme docs.

Anchors鈥攁lso known as jump links or bookmarks鈥攁llow users to quickly navigate to specific sections of a webpage. They鈥檙e especially useful on longer pages where readers may want to skip to the part that matters most to them.

Method 1: Using Headings

In cutheme, anchors are automatically created for headings (e.g., H2, H3). The system generates an ID based on the heading text by:

• Converting it to lowercase
• Replacing spaces with dashes

For example

• The heading: Add Anchors to Webpage,
• will have the ID: add-anchors-to-webpage

Link to the header block using the ID with a hashtag. For example: #add-anchors-to-webpage

Bonus feature: for linking internally within a page, if you use a proper headings structure you can then just insert a Table of Contents block at the top of the page and it builds links for users to hop around the page.

This also improves accessibility for your pages.

Method 2: Manually Adding Anchors

If your content doesn鈥檛 use a heading, you can still add an anchor manually:

1. Click where you would like to add the anchor (e.g., start of a paragraph block).
2. In the block settings panel on the right, open the Advanced section.
3. Enter a unique name in the HTML Anchor field (use lowercase letters and dashes).
   For example: custom-anchor

Then link to it using the following: #custom-anchor

Anchors are an easy way to make your webpages more user-friendly. They help readers get where they want to go faster, especially on longer pages.

The post How to Add Anchors to your Webpages appeared first on cutheme docs.

Welcome to the exciting world of cutheme! If you鈥檙e used to our ccms theme (in classic WordPress), you鈥檒l find that cutheme opens up a whole new universe of possibilities.

This tutorial will explore how to structure your news posts using blocks. This can make your content more engaging and visually appealing.

Start with a Solid Foundation

Before diving into the details, let鈥檚 set the stage. When creating a new blog post, think about the overall structure. Here鈥檚 a simple framework:

• Introduction: Hook your readers with a compelling opening paragraph.
• Main Content: Break down your topic into logical sections.
• Conclusion: Summarize your key points and encourage action (e.g., going to another page or signing up for something).

The Power of Paragraph Blocks

The paragraph block is your best friend. Use it for regular text, explanations, and storytelling. Remember to:

• Keep paragraphs concise (2-3 sentences).
• Use headings and subheadings (heading blocks) to break up long text.
• Add emphasis with bold or italic formatting.

Heading Blocks for Structure

Heading blocks (H2, H3, etc.) organize your content hierarchy. They make it accessible and easier to read for everyone. Here鈥檚 how to use them effectively:

• H1 (Main Title): Your blog post title. Make it attention-grabbing!
• H2 (Subheadings): Divide your content into sections. Use descriptive subheadings.
• H3 (Sub-subheadings): Further break down complex topics.

Image Blocks: A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

Visuals enhance readability. Insert image blocks to:

• Illustrate concepts.
• Break up text-heavy sections.
• Add personality to your post.

Remember to add alt tags to your images to make them accessible.

Quote Blocks: Highlight Key Points

Quotes add credibility and emphasize important points. Use quote blocks for:

• Pulling out memorable phrases.
• Citing experts or sources.
• Creating visual interest.

List Blocks: Organize Information

Lists keep readers engaged. Use:

• Bullet Lists: For quick points.
• Numbered Lists: For step-by-step instructions.

Custom Blocks: Get Creative

cutheme offers custom blocks for specific content types:

• Table of Contents: Automatically generate a table of contents based on headings.
• Buttons: Create call-to-action buttons.
• Embeds: Add YouTube videos to your posts.

cutheme empowers you to structure blog posts like a pro. Experiment, play with blocks, and find your unique style!

The post How to Structure Engaging News Posts in cutheme appeared first on cutheme docs.