Over time, department sites can get out of control. Is yours full of out-of-date content or difficult for users to navigate? How do you even begin thinking about cleaning it up? First, ask some questions and gather data. Then, just start!
Define Your Goals and Audience
Take some time to define what you’re hoping to accomplish with your site so you can check back and make sure your changes are consistent with your goals. Ask yourself questions like the following:
- What is the purpose of your site?
- Who is your audience?
- What are your visitors looking for? ...and what are they finding?
- What action(s) do you hope to inspire?
Slim Down Pages
Site analytics are a powerful tool. Page views indicate if visitors are getting to the content they need — if they aren’t, think about ways to make that content easier to find. Ask Web Services for a 1% Report, indicating which pages you should delete that aren’t getting views.
Delete Freely
Your users aren’t served by out-of-date or incorrect content. Don’t worry too much about breaking links. It’d be better to have someone contact you looking for the right information than to give them incorrect information. Archival material is also a category that should be removed. Web Services can backup sites and provide file download if the material is needed internally.
Write for the Web
The University Communicators Guide includes a section on Web Writing. Take a look at it before you start writing content. It will help you write for your audience, making your content stay consistent with the Chico style.
It’s Okay to Be Wrong
Remember, your site isn’t set in stone. The web is always changing, and it’s easy to update. Iterate — come up with a plan, make updates, listen for feedback, learn, repeat!