Request a UBCMS Site

Before you reach this stage, we're assuming you have worked through the DCT transformation process to align your planned website content with your strategic vision and audiences.

• Reference: Get Started section of this website.
• Reference: Planning Your Site section of this website.
• Reference: DCT Training online course materials.

To support this process, we need you to have assigned key roles to people in your unit, for site stewardship, for UBCMS authoring and for accessibility compliance.

• Reference: UBCMS roles and permissions

UB brand guidelines and plicies govern permissible formal names for websites.  

• Reference: Naming your website
• Reference: UB Brand

Please review how websites are hosted in the UBCMS. All sites are UB branded and use responsive web design (adjust to mobile devices). All sites must be accessible to WCAG guidelines.

• Reference: Overview of a UBCMS website
• Reference: UB Brand
• Reference: UB digital accessibility

To get ready to work in the UBCMS, familiarize yourself and your future authors with the UBCMS tool.

• Reference: Online training videos
• Reference: Online documentation
  
• Learn how to use the UBCMS: UBCMS Basics

1. Site Owner or Unit Web leader submits a request to host the site, including:
   
   • site name ("title")
     
   • desired URL
     
   • site type (academic or administrative)
     
   • identity of Site Owner
     
   • identity of UBCMS authors, publishers, specialists
     
   • identity of technical support contact
   • identity of accessibility liaison and any delegates (for SiteImprove)
     
   • identity of 3rd party developers
     
   • site size (estimated number of pages)
     
   • need for tags
   • need for external redirects
     
   • need for customization or external site dependencies
     
   • preferred launch date (subject to accessibility testing and UBit freeze dates)
     
2. University Communications (UC) approves site name and URL.
   • UC contacts Site Owner only if the site name or URL is not approved.
3. UC requests creation of a new UBCMS site.
   • The site is created in a raw state (with placeholder pages and filler text).
     
   • The site is 'published' in its raw state to allow SiteImprove indexing, but is blocked from public view.
   • Permissions are assigned as requested by the Site Owner.
   • Initial tags are built and activated (if requested).
     
   • UC informs Site Owner that the site is ready for content creation, affirms launch date (if identified) and sets expectations for UBCMS authoring and accessibility requirements prior to final launch.
4. SiteImprove is made available for use.
   
   • UC affirms set up correct, makes initial adjustments and sets SiteImprove access for accessibility liaison and any delegates.
     
   • UC notifies Site Owner about next steps.
   • SiteImprove sends an automated email to Site Owner (if new) with login instructions.