Alerts

How to use Alerts

Alerts keep users informed of important and sometimes time-sensitive changes. Alerts appear at the top of the page, either site-wide or on individual pages. 

Tips:

• Set clear criteria at your agency for what qualifies as an Alert versus normal page content.
• Statewide Alerts are issued by the Department of Management and Budget (DBM). When DBM issues a statewide Alert, it will automatically appear on your website, so you do not need to do anything.
• Keep Alert text concise and easy to understand.
• Remove Alerts promptly after the appropriate time period has passed.
• Don’t show more than two alerts at the same time. The more Alerts you display at the same time, the more likely it is that site visitors will ignore them.

Required fields

1. Title – 75 characters max

The Title introduces the Alert. Provide a clear, concise title.

2. Alert type

Select one of three Alert Types: 

• Information. Information Alerts have a blue background and an icon of a circle containing a lowercase i.
• Warning. Warning Alerts have a yellow background and an icon of a triangle containing an exclamation point.
• Emergency. Emergency Alerts have a red background and an icon of a circle containing an exclamation point.

3. Alert visibility

Choose to display the Alert site-wide or on a specific page.

Optional fields

1. Details – 250 characters max

The Details provide additional context or relevant information about the Alert. The Alert Details can also include links.