Web Strategy and Development Blog

New design for university websites

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We’re excited to announce that Missouri State University websites will soon have a fresh look. The first change comes next week on the homepage.

Our goal: to create an action-oriented experience for future Bears. The new homepage will also showcase bold video, imagery and content elements.

What’s new

All Missouri State University websites hosted in Web Press are moving to new templates.

In late April, we’ll start the transition with the release of a new homepage.

Top portion of new Missouri State University homepage.
A sneak-peak of the new homepage. The modern look includes an expansive “hero” video area.
New Missouri State University homepage on mobile view.
The new homepage on mobile view.

Other highlights on the new homepage include:

  • An admissions-focused layout. We’ve made it easier to apply, visit and donate to Missouri State.
  • A carousel of stories, centered around student success.
  • Upcoming events in an easy-to-read format, with quick links to the full calendar.
  • Bold, impactful stats that detail university accomplishments.

The new templates have other options for design layouts, too.

All MSU Web Press sites will switch to the new templates, and we will release a schedule for this move later in the year.

For questions or concerns

If you have any questions or feedback, please contact us.

Learn best practices for accessibility

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Join us for the 2019 Web Accessibility Summit, a conference about all things website accessibility for professionals in higher education and beyond, hosted this year by Missouri State University.

Details

When: May 29, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Missouri State University, Glass Hall
Cost: $40

Workshops and track sessions will focus on how to make your web presence more accessible with technical and non-technical solutions. Networking opportunities will encourage sharing of information and resources with colleagues from around the state.

Missouri State faculty and staff should register through My Learning Connection. You may use your noncredit fee waiver to cover conference registration costs.

Non-MSU faculty and staff can register now.

Seating is limited so don’t delay.

Organizers

Several Missouri higher education institutions are organizing this event:

Social media kit: Collaborative Diversity Conference

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Shed labels. Stand up to racism and bias. Act with moral courage.

Empower yourself at the Collaborative Diversity Conference. The event runs April 24-26 at Plaster Student Union on the Missouri State University campus.

MSU employees can attend for free April 25-26. Register through My Learning Connection via My Missouri State. You’ll earn professional development credit.

You can also attend a pre-conference session on April 24 for $150.

April 27: Just for students

Students lead the way on April 27. The MoState Student Summit is a student-only conference and part of the Collaborative Diversity Conference.

Workshops for MSU students, led by other MSU students.

Key details

  • What: Collaborative Diversity Conference
  • When: April 24-26, 2019; Student summit April 27
  • Where: Plaster Student Union, Missouri State University.
  • Who: Diversity experts, including plenary speaker Irshad Manji. Review the conference schedule for a full list of speakers and sessions.
  • Tickets:
    • Free admission for MSU employees; register through My Learning Connection to receive professional development credit
    • Standard registration: $250, or $200 if you register by April 8
    • Pre-conference: $150
  • Sponsors
    • Bass Pro Shops
    • Central Bank of the Ozarks
    • City of Springfield
    • College of Business, Missouri State University
    • Commerce Bank
    • Community Foundation of the Ozarks
    • Community Partnership of the Ozarks
    • CoxHealth
    • International Institute Business Solutions Center
    • John Deere Reman
    • Mayor’s Commission on Human Rights and Community Relations
    • Med-Pay, Inc.
    • Networking and Telecommunications, Missouri State University

Share your story

If you attend the Collaborative Diversity Conference, we want to hear about your experience!

Join the online conversation during the event. Post about it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and tag your posts with the official hashtag: #Diversity19.

Make your post social media savvy

  • Tag your post with the official Collaborative Diversity Conference hashtag: #Diversity19
  • Whenever possible, tag Missouri State University or @missouristate; Division for Diversity and Inclusion or @DiversityMSU
  • If applicable, tag the post with the Springfield, Mo., hashtag: #SGF
  • If you would like to provide a link for more information on the event, please link to: Collaborative Diversity Conference
  • Nothing beats a first-hand perspective! If you attend the Collaborative Diversity Conference, consider sharing a photo from or quote about your experience

Photos

Sample social media posts

Sample tweets

  • The Collaborative Diversity Conference is April 25-27. Plan your events: https://bit.ly/2GcDdiw #Diversity19
  • How to be a #CitizenBear: Attend the Collaborative Diversity Conference. Registration: https://bit.ly/2HUb9wE #Diversity19
  • The Collaborative Diversity Conference welcomes Professor Irshad Manji on April 26. https://bit.ly/2pHhSDs #Diversity19

Review our steps for turning a link into a tweet.

Sample Facebook posts

Example 1

Plenary speaker Irshad Manji

URL: About the plenary speaker

Text: Professor Irshad Manji is an author, educator and advocate for the rights of women and minorities. She’s the founder of the award-winning Moral Courage Project, based at the University of Southern California.

Example 2

Woman speaking at 2018 Collaborative Diversity Conference.

URL: Division for Diversity and Inclusion Facebook event

Text: Act with moral courage and empower yourself at the Collaborative Diversity Conference.

Recap: Making Your Statement in a Digital World

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Web strategy and development staff members Kai Raymer and Erika Brame delivered a half-day training session Feb. 8 on digital marketing.

Whether you attended or couldn’t make it this time, here’s a recap and a chance to download slides and view video from Making Your Statement in a Digital World.

Key takeaways

Readability

Readability: The ease with witch a person can understand written content.

  • Two keys for readability: Concise text and scannable layout.
    • Use simple words and short sentences. Use headings so people and software can scan your content.
  • Write inverted pyramid style, not chronologically. Put the most important information near the top of your story, content and/or website.
  • Tools like Hemingway App and Yoast SEO can gauge and test the readability of your content.
  • Aim for a 6th-to-8th grade reading level for your content. Most people read at that level.
  • Prioritize what goes on your website. Don’t clutter. The more content and links you have, the less important everything becomes.
  • Know that readable content can help you:
    • Reach more people
    • Increase what they understand
    • Get them to act
    • Save money
  • No one wants to put extra effort into reading. Even smart people (deans, department heads, graduate students etc.).

Download readability slides (PDF)

You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print these documents.

Social media

  • Share human – don’t be afraid to act like a human and interact with your audience one-on-one.
  • Set up a Facebook business account where people can find your contact information. Be prepared to respond to their questions.
  • Facebook ads can be helpful but use with a strategy for want you want to accomplish.
  • Third party platforms can help teams collaborate and offer insightful analytics.
  • Keep it simple. Not everything goes viral and that’s ok. Keep interacting with the audience.

Download social media slides (PDF)

You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print these documents.

Accessibility

Accessibility helps people with disabilities or limited abilities better use the web.

  • Think of your website as a public space. Make accommodations for all users.
  • Not following accessibility standards could lead to lawsuits or legal trouble. Higher education websites are often targeted for accessibility issues.
    • Following accessibility standards will make your website better. You’ll improve SEO and reach more people.
  • Three staples of accessibility: alt text, headings and descriptive links.
    • Alt text is the text equivalent of a photo. Imagine you were describing the image to someone via text message or phone call.
    • Headings are vital for screen readers and give all visitors an easy outline of your website.
    • Descriptive links explain what the link offers. You shouldn’t have to read surrounding content for context. Don’t write “click here” for your links.
  • Use tools like WAVE and the Web Press accessibility checker. They’ll find accessibility issues on your website.
  • Follow our ongoing Accessibility blog series for the latest tips and strategies.

Download accessibility slides (PDF)

You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print these documents.

Video

  • Think visual – when on location for an event share raw photos, but when promoting the event utilize photo services to help boost your presence.
  • Video is king across all platforms. Be sure to add captioning for accessibility and to increase views.
  • Measure your success based on the goals your team sets: more followers, increased engagement, more views, etc. Keep a log of your analytics so you can compare data from previous years.
  • Start thinking of ways you can add video to your workflow. Start slow and make goals for yourself for when and how often you want to post videos.
  • Don’t backlight your subject. Let the natural light work for you, not against you.

Download video slides (PDF)

You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print these documents.

Watch on Zoom

For the first time, we live streamed the training through Zoom.

Watch the replay

Tune up your website on March 1 at the Web Accessibility Clinic

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When: 1 – 2 p.m. Friday, March 1, 2019
Where: Cheek Hall room 100

Brian Heaton and Kristeena Laroue will present a brief training session. Brian will cover the top five website accessibility issues. Kristeena will demonstrate access technology, so you can better understand how your website may be used.

After the session, you can grab a computer, discover accessibility issues and make corrections.

Free bonus

We will also give you some tips to make your website more search engine friendly, so your pages appear more frequently in search results.