Rockford College

Campus Web site Development

Today’s Agenda

• Review Best Practices Discussion

• Review Template 3 design possibilities Discussion

• Site/Front Page Optional Features List of options

• Menu Architecture Review

Best practices for Rockford College Web site revamp 1. Will the tone of the language in the site be informal (i.e.

use contractions and contemporary language such as cool, neat, etc.)? Or, we should it be more academic?

2. The copy should conform to Associated Press style which is the college-approved authority on news releases and most external communication.

3. The copy should be written in short, simple paragraphs with headings, lists, bulleted items, and typographical emphasis for areas to be highlighted.

4. Where copy cannot be shortened, subheads can be used to break up the “gray.”

5. To maintain consistency in Assumptions 1-4 above, it is recommended that all copy changes submitted by individual units in the college be sent to the Communications team first for review, editing if appropriate, and posting. These changes can typically be made within 24 hours. Posting by Communications also assures consistency in type style, font, and type size.

6. All material for faculty/staff currently accessible on the public Web site will be shifted in its entirety to my.rockford.edu.

7. “Bread crumbs” on the new site will enable visitors to know where they are in the context of the entire site.

Best practices for Rockford College Web site revamp

8. In Phase I of the transition to the new site, copy from the old site will be cut and pasted to the new site, accommodated by revised navigation. Phase II will include editing all copy for style and the addition of images where appropriate.

9. We are proposing that all academic department pages be standardized with program descriptions, distinctions, and faculty listings at a minimum. However, other features could include faculty images, blogs, graduate testimonials, and video clips. The Communications team can help develop this new media.

10. The front page is the gateway to the site and should invite and intrigue visitors. Any promotional images should be event-related. The front page should also include student and alumni testimonials, and opportunities to access new media such as blogs, video clips, podcasts, and galleries.

Best practices for Rockford College Web site revamp

Design Benefits

CleanOrganizedFlexibleInteractiveStudent Profile Space for Portal Login

Design Benefits

Simple / CleanOrganizedAesthetically pleasingInteractive

Design Benefits

CleanOrganizedMost flexible design for contentInteractiveInformativeStudent ProfileSpace for Portal loginSpace for MultimediaModular

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New Web site Features

Advanced search features

Ability to podcast RSS feeds Polls / Surveys Photo gallery Videos Virtual tour

Event calendars by department

Register for events Student blogs Student testimonials Community networking Ability to receive

financial contributions

Menu ArchitectureTypical descriptors in front page navigation bar

General About Explore

Academic-related Academics

For specific audiences Future Students Current Students Becoming A Student Parents & Family Parents & Visitors

Admission-related Admission Admission & Aid

Alumni-related Alumni Alumni & Friends Give to Rockford Donors & Friends

Services Library Student/Campus Resources Student Life Campus Life Resources

Athletics-related Athletics Regent Athletics

Other The Arts Performing Arts Class schedule Centers Portal access RC In the News News & Events Graduate & Continuing Studies

For footer links Ask us FAQs Maps & Directions Accreditation Employment Press Room Contact us Site index Site map Site feedback Emergency Info Crisis response Disclaimer & privacy policy Copyright

Thank you.