Mass.gov Knowledge Base

This Knowledge Base is your self-service guide to authoring and updating content for Mass.gov. Most of this guide focuses on the Content Management System (CMS), but we also address related third-party tools such as Formstack and Google Analytics.

If you are new to Mass.gov, you will find tips, instructions, guidelines, and other information you need to use it successfully. If you have been authoring for a while, you can find updates on familiar content, learn about new features, and brush up on best practices.

The Knowledge Base also offers resources for learning about design, accessibility, site analytics, and content strategy. Search by keyword or use the table of contents menu to navigate section by section. Like Mass.gov and the CMS, the Knowledge Base is continually evolving. Users can suggest or request new content for the Knowledge Base via this form.

Mass.gov guiding principles and best practices

Mass.gov is the public face of the Commonwealth for constituents. We aim to make our website fast, easy, and secure for all those who use it.

Mass.gov’s guiding principles:

  • We are constituent-centric. We aim to create content that visitors to our site find easy to use and understand, whether they are here for personal, professional, or informational purposes.

  • We strive to use plain language. This helps people read, understand, and use services more easily, and it improves the accuracy of auto-translation tools.

  • Avoid confusing “government-speak” wherever possible. This includes things like acronyms and jargon that someone outside your office might not understand.

  • We strive to make content that is accessible for all visitors, regardless of their abilities.

  • We work to make Mass.gov usable across devices, including desktops, mobile phones, and tablets.

  • We maintain a consistent design across the website so the public has a seamless experience.

  • We adapt our website, services, and information based on visitor feedback to give people the best experience possible.

Learn the basics - from logging in to descriptions of core features, to website policies for Mass.gov.

Use these services to gain insight into your content’s performance, ensure a quality visitor experience, add modules for seeking feedback, and integrate social media.

Do you have a suggestion for a Knowledge Base article? Let us know

Top help requests

These are the most common topics that CMS authors ask for help with:

These and all other requests for help from the Mass Digital team should be submitted via ServiceNow.

For more involved and less time-sensitive issues, schedule office hours with Mass Digital.

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