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Redesigned Alumni Association website

July 22, 2015 by

Alumni website homepage

Alumni website homepageThe redesigned Alumni Association website recently launched. The site was edited, restructured and received a mobile-happy makeover, making it adaptive to smartphones and tablets.

Challenges and goals

Anecdotal feedback from users prior to the redesign was that the site was hard to navigate, and that the abundance of content made if difficult to find important information.

Recognizing those challenges, the redesign was approached with the goals of organizing and prioritizing information, and reducing excess content.

Content restructure

Content on the Alumni Association website was streamlined and grouped into eight main categories:

  • Stay connected
  • Get involved
  • View news and media
  • Learn about us
  • Alumni resources
  • Missouri State resources
  • Awards and honors
  • Show your spirit

Each category now links to a separate landing page with related content.

Summary of changes

Data from before and after the redesign was used to measure progress toward the goal of reducing excess content. Results:

  • Reduced the total number of pages from 94 to 44  (53%)
  • Reduced the total number of links in the homepage navigation from 25 to 13 (48%)
  • Reduced the total number of assets from 542 to 101 assets (82%)
  • Reduced the total asset folder size from  71 MB to 15 MB  (80%)

Site credits

  • Project lead and content: Courtney Wendel-Stevenson, new media specialist, Web and new media
  • Design: Chris Austin, web designer, Web and new media
  • Implementation: Brian Heaton, content management programmer/analyst, and Sara Clark, director of Web and new media

Filed Under: Mobile, Redesign, web strategy and development Tagged With: alumni, maroonation, website, website conversion

Academic Website Project: Converting to mobile FAQ

May 6, 2015 by Lucie Amberg

Using a cell phone

Website viewsThis semester, the office of Web and new media began converting all departmental websites to the mobile-friendly template.

As part of the Academic Website Project, this effort is funded by the office of the provost. Websites will be converted according to the deans’ prioritization on a college-by-college rotation.

Frequently asked questions

Why are we converting to mobile?

Smart phone and tablet usage continues to grow exponentially — particularly with our largest target demographic. In addition, last month Google updated its search algorithm, expanding its use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal in organic search results.

What’s involved in the mobile conversion process?

Conversion rather than redesign

The mobile conversion process is not a redesign of your website.

Certain academic websites (Examples: marketing, hospitality and restaurant administration, area studies) have been redesigned according to mobile-friendly specifications; during the redesign process, these sites received new content — including text, design elements, photos and videos. But during a conversion process, new content will not be created for your website.

Incorporating existing multimedia content

However, we will be looking for ways to incorporate content that has already been created for your program. Whenever possible, we will add multimedia pieces such as Mind’s Eye and spotlight videos, provided that they support your program’s recruitment goals and meet other content guidelines.

If you know of existing multimedia content you’d like to add to your website, please feel free to let us know about it once we begin your conversion process.

Future redesign

In the future, any academic website that goes through the mobile conversion process will also receive a complete redesign as part of the Academic Website Project. At that point, we will be creating new content.

Student looking at mobile phone

I represent an academic department. How do I get the process started?

Commencing the conversion

You don’t need to do anything.

  • The conversion process is funded by the office of the provost.
  • Your department has already been prioritized by your dean.
  • Web and new media will contact you via email when your website is entering conversion.

During the conversion

While your website is being converted, you will not be able to edit your live website. Instead, you’ll send updates to webpress@missouristate.edu. We will make updates on your behalf.

Following the conversion

  • Once the conversion is complete, you’ll be notified that your website is ready for your review.
  • At this time, you’ll have the opportunity to send feedback and request changes.
  • Please keep in mind that we will not be revising your content during this process. (If you’d like to make content revisions, you will have that opportunity once your mobile-friendly website has been launched and you have resumed responsibility for maintaining it.)
  • Your website will be launched four weeks after the date you are notified that it’s ready for review.

Once it’s converted, will we still be using Web Press?

Yes, you’ll continue to manage your website through Web Press.

I’m part of a University unit that isn’t an academic department. How do we start the mobile conversion process?

Mobile conversion isn’t fully available to non-academic departments yet. We are working through that process and will post when available. You’re welcome to email web@missouristate.edu if you’d like to be an early conversion client.

Filed Under: Academic websites, Mobile, Redesign, Web Press, web strategy and development Tagged With: academic website, conversion, mobile, mobile friendly, recruitment, Redesign, website conversion

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