Usability

Our DUSWDS distribution is designed with user-centric principles, making it incredibly easy for federal agencies to create and manage their websites. The component-based Drupal architecture, combined with our out-of-the-box components and the powerful Layout Builder, significantly enhances the usability of the CMS.

Component-Based Architecture

The DUSWDS distribution leverages a component-based architecture in Drupal, which means that the building blocks of your website are modular and reusable. Each component is designed to align with the USWDS standards, ensuring consistency and accessibility. This modular approach allows users to easily assemble and customize their web pages without the need for extensive coding knowledge.

Out-of-the-Box Components

DUSWDS comes with a robust set of pre-built components that are ready to use. These components include elements like buttons, forms, navigation bars, accordions, and more. Each component is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing users to tailor them to their specific needs. By using these pre-built components, users can quickly create functional and visually appealing web pages, reducing development time and effort.

Layout Builder

The Drupal Layout Builder is a powerful tool that enables users to design and arrange page layouts through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. With Layout Builder, users can: 

• Easily Add and Arrange Components: Place components exactly where they need them on the page, ensuring a seamless user experience. 
• Customize Layouts: Create unique page layouts that suit the specific requirements of their content, without being constrained by pre-defined templates. 
• Preview Changes: See how changes will look on the live site before publishing, allowing for immediate adjustments and refinements. 
• Reusable layout builder templates: Use our collection of templates or create your own collection to quickly start building your next set of pages. 
• Copy and paste group of components: Duplicate a group of components of your page to quickly build multiple sections within your page.

User-Friendly Interface

The combination of component-based architecture and Layout Builder creates a user-friendly interface that empowers content editors and site administrators. Users can: 

• Quickly Create Pages: Use the drag-and-drop interface to build pages from scratch or modify existing layouts effortlessly. 
• Maintain Consistency: Ensure a consistent look and feel across the site by reusing components that adhere to USWDS guidelines. 
• Empower Non-Technical Users: Enable content editors, without needing extensive technical knowledge, to build and update pages, freeing up developers to focus on more complex tasks. 

By focusing on these usability enhancements, DUSWDS ensures that federal agencies can efficiently manage their web presence, providing a better experience for both their administrators and their audience.