Journalists use the internet more than any other resource to find subject-matter experts. As a result, researchers need to maintain an updated, professional-looking web presence that appears early in search results.
Researchers can choose to build a web presence on a college- or department-affiliate website or as a standalone website. Having a modern web presence, using either approach, is a critical part of your communications toolkit. It is a place to house your biography, CV, information about your research and scholarship, content you produce and media outlets you’ve been featured in. No matter which website you choose to use, including relevant and current information is key. UCAM recommends coordinating your web presence with your college/department communicator.
Websites at MSU
SitecoreAI
Units and researchers can opt to use the SitecoreAI web content management system, or CMS, managed by UCAM and MSU IT. SitecoreAI is used by units across campus to create and publish websites. The system allows for creating robust websites using page templates and pre-built components, simplifying the website management experience. You can learn more about SitecoreAI on the Digital Experience Studio website.
Benefits of using SitecoreAI CMS:
- Faster website creation
- Brand-compliant design
- Accessible options and design
- Streamlined content author experience
- Advanced functionalities, such as News, Events and Forms
- Quick platform updates
- Modern architecture for better performance
- In-house training and technical support by UCAM and MSU IT
- Cloud-based hosting, managed by MSU IT
- No charge to use the platform or host websites
Website Resources
UCAM’s Digital Experience Studio website provides information for users planning a website project. Below are a few helpful links:
- Website Project Process — Provides an overview of the website creation process
- Web Standards and Best Practices — Outlines guidance for website creation. These standards should be followed regardless of the CMS in use. Note that SitecoreAI has brand and web standard adherence designed into the system.
- Website Domains and Names — Includes information on choosing the name and address for a website, as well as instructions for requesting a new domain (i.e., URL).
- Prepare for Launch — Posts a checklist of items to confirm before a new website is ready to be published live
Website Content
Content
Before building anything, create a plan for the information you would like to include on the website, how it will be maintained, and how often it may need to be updated.
- What kinds of content will your site have?
- Who is your audience, what information do they need and what information should you provide?
- What features are needed to make your website effective? News, Events, Staff Directory, Forms, etc.
- What information will be included on the home page — who you are and what your site will offer.
- What information is most important? That should go at the top of each relevant page.
Write new content or update existing content for the pages. Gather information for staff, news and other pages. Consider images to display with your content. Determine staffing models for maintaining the website. If graduate students, lab staff or others will support website maintenance, be sure everyone understands the site structure, intent and quality expectations.
Information Architecture and Navigation
Content can be grouped logically into categories or “buckets” to form your main navigation. For more information on how to organize content on the site, see “Information Architecture” on the Digital Experience Studio website.
Here are some suggested page types to consider, based on other academics’ websites:
- Homepage (current highlights)
- Projects/research/lab
- News and/or publications (Articles or papers about your research, stories you’ve been quoted in, etc.)
- Biography (Include both a conversational description and link to your CV)
- Contact information
Images
Gather images and graphics, including staff photos and bios, news articles, events, publications, resources/links, etc. Make sure you own the images or have documented authorization to use them.
Social Media Accounts
Include links to any relevant social media accounts you maintain on your website. See “Social Media Best Practices” on the UCAM website for more information about maintaining a social media presence and using various social media platforms.
Reciprocal Links
If you would like to provide links to other websites and have them display a link to your website in turn, make arrangements with the site owners. This is one practice that can support search engine optimization, or SEO. See “Search Engine Optimization” on the Digital Experience Optimization website for more information.