What is it?
For the first time in nearly 10 years, the UNCG website is being redesigned. Launched in spring 2020, the Next Generation Website Project’s (NGWP) goal is to develop a new University website that communicates a clear and compelling story of student success and faculty accomplishments, fuels enrollment growth and alumni participation, and inspires engagement and investment in UNCG community and business partnerships.
Since the March 2020 launch of the project, the NGWP team has worked with hundreds of students, faculty, and staff. Together with the vendor, VisionPoint Marketing, the University has reviewed the University’s existing website structure, completed focus groups, adopted a web strategy and information architecture, as well as launched the design phase of the new website’s pages.
The NGWP leadership team includes:
- Chris Waters, Director of Enterprise Application Development & Delivery
- Kimberly Osborne, Associate Vice Chancellor, Integrated Marketing Communications
- Sherri MacCheyne, Director for Univ. Communications Strategic Operations
- Chris Sawyer, Project Manager for ITS
Contact the NGWP Team: [email protected]
Why are we doing it?
As Chancellor Gilliam once told a group of communications and marketing professionals from across our campus, “The website is one of the most important ways we communicate, especially in challenging times, and we need to make sure it reflects who we are – a winner with a great story to tell.”
A large-scale development, revision, and redeployment of public-facing websites at UNCG, the Next Generation Web Project will deliver:
- new templates that utilize a component system to support easier web content creation and maintenance across academic and business units;
- a new primary website with an engaging, modern design built for university audiences;
- substantial revisions to information architecture and site management practices;
- best-practice use of analytics to assess ongoing website performance.
How will I be impacted?
If you manage a microsite, you will receive communications and instructions in 2023 as to next steps.
When will this be implemented?
The new primary website for UNCG is set to launch during winter break this year. Microsites will begin transitioning to the new templates in January and continue throughout 2023.
What do I need to do?
Participate in the process. Stay connected with your website managers and communications colleagues. Look for updates in Campus Weekly.
Major Milestones
Site and Technical Audits
Set a baseline for the technical performance of key web pages to benchmark the performance of the new website.
Listening Tours and Stakeholder Meetings
Meetings with stakeholders across campus to identify needs and solidify strategic approach.
Information Architecture Plan
A plan for the pages and content needed in the primary website.
Design Conceptualization
Three different looks provided to identify a direction for the new website design.
Theme and Content Development
Development for the main site and microsite page templates and blocks.
Template Use Training
Content maintainers and microsite owners receive training on how to build a web page using the new templates and components.
Primary Website Re-Launch
New primary website is released with new content, new theme, with content now managed by content teams and designees.
Microsite Migrations
Department sites converted to the new template.
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