The PDF document format is used to preserve original formatting that cannot be easily recreated on a web page. PDFs are often a great option for downloadable forms or documents/flyers that you expect your visitors will download and/or print.  If your primary goal is to simply publish content, you should do so as a web page in WordPress and not as an uploaded PDF.

Key Concepts

  • Publishing content as a standard web page is more accessible than uploading and linking to a PDF file; it is also more easily discoverable by both visitors and search engines.
  • Publishing content as a standard web page allows you to edit content quickly and easily; replacing a PDF with an edited/updated version requires more time and resources.
  • You cannot redirect links to PDFs in BU WordPress; linking directly to PDF files can be problematic (see linking best practices below).
  • All BU websites must comply with our Minimum Web Accessibility Standards. These standards ensure that all users, including those with disabilities, can access the content on your site. This includes ensuring PDFs are tagged for accessibility.

Using & Linking to PDFs

Frequently Asked Questions

PDF Accessibility Deep Dive

Additional Resources