BBC News website redesign: Frequently asked questions

We've made some improvements to the design and layout of the BBC News website. You can read a summary on the BBC News Editors blog or look at our picture gallery describing the changes. Below is a video and the most frequently asked questions we have received, with answers.

What's changed?

Why have you done this?

Are any of the main sections of the site changing?

Why have you rearranged the story pages?

Why have you stopped providing a low-graphics version of the site?

Our executive product manager has blogged about this at the BBC Internet Blog.

How will you ensure the site is still user-friendly for those with disabilities?

This summer, we are also expecting to roll out an additional suite of accessibility tools which we hope will make your experience on the site even better.

These are designed to provide much better support to a range of users - especially those with lo-vision, asperger syndrome, dyslexia, ADHD, or those who find text hard to read. For those who have been using low graphics as a more accessible version, these new tools will provide a much better service.

Why have you chosen to include more video?

How can I make sure videos will not start automatically?

Will bigger pictures and more video change the loading time of pages?

Will video play on iPhones and other devices that don't support Flash?

How do I use the UK local news and weather box on the front page?

Why are you making changes to the web addresses? Will my bookmarks still work?

Why are there social media links on the site?

While the BBC in the UK does not link to a site in return for money, goods or services, we are a part of the wider web, and the way that many of our users now use the internet involves social networks. We want you to be able to share and comment on the content we produce if you wish to, and these links make that easier.

What are the social media components on the site and how did you choose which to include?

This page gives more information about BBC News and social networks.

Why has the Facebook button changed?

Are you providing options on story pages for user comments?

How are you linking to external sites?

Are you improving the BBC search function?

Is the international version of the site changing?

What is the North America edition of the BBC News website?

Can I access the North America or international edition in the UK?

Will the BBC be launching more region-specific versions of bbc.com?

Why are there adverts when I access the site from outside the UK?

The BBC website is used by over 50 million people outside the UK, although they don't directly pay for the website via the UK licence fee. Through the placement of advertising on the site outside the UK, BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, is able to generate revenues to go back into the BBC's core services.

There are strict guidelines around the placement and delivery of campaigns on bbc.com and we do not accept advertising from inappropriate advertisers. Protecting the BBC brand is of great importance to us.

Why was there no beta site for users, as there was with the new version of the BBC iPlayer?

Will other parts of BBC Online such as BBC Sport website be redesigned as well?

A member of the BBC's design team wrote a blog post about the background earlier this year.

Are there any known issues with mobile devices?

Why is the "local" box giving me unexpected results?

Where have certain sections of the site gone?

This post at the BBC Internet Blog describes the thinking behind the changes to navigation.

Why is there more white space on the site?

The redesign's Creative Director Paul Sissons explains the thinking behind this element of the design at the BBC Internet Blog.

Are there any known issues with font display?

Where has Europe and other world regional weather gone?

Why don't you have a single list of the main News blogs linked from the front page?

Why does video slow down my story page download?

Is the site designed just for large screens?

Why are some of the sections that I am used to seeing in the main navigation not there when i visit some sections?

There are some other issues we are still working to resolve. Again, your feedback has been invaluable.