Website Approvals
IU’s updated website approval process ensures that university sites are compliant, accessible, and strategic. Requests for websites will be evaluated at the outset to determine if proposed sites will align with IU’s long-term goals and objectives, will be informed by IU’s upcoming content strategy, and will be accessible and search engine optimized.
Site owners will be required to sign a form attesting to long-term commitment to maintenance and compliance. Forthcoming policy will outline more changes to requirements for website owners.
Your request may not be approved if the evaluators determine that a website is not necessary or appropriate for your content.
What to expect when you request a website
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Submit the website request form
If you believe your unit or organization needs a website, fill out and submit the website request form. This form collects information such as:
- The purpose of the website
- The domain you'd like to use
- What content management system you plan to use
- Where your website will be hosted
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Request is reviewed
A ServiceNow ticket will be created to track your request. The request will be reviewed to determine if a website is necessary.
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Request is approved or denied
If the request is approved, it will be advanced to Tier 2 support to configure hosting, create your virtual URL, and create your website in the WCMS or request an alternate CMS.
If the request is denied, you will receive a message with that information and alternative options for your content.
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Test website is created
You will be given access to a test site where you can add content.
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Test website is reviewed
When your test site is complete, you’ll submit it for a required review for accessibility, content quality, and a privacy policy.
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Website is launched
Once your site is approved, you can deploy it and make it public. Congratulations!
What will not be approved?
The following site requests will not be approved. Check the alternatives to standalone websites for other possibilities for your content.
- Sites that will be live for fewer than three years
- Sites for an individual degree program
- Sites that host course materials
- Sites for a conference or one-time event
- Sites made primarily for a short, easy-to-read URL
- Sites for a student organization
- Sites intended to be a blog
- Sites only for news and stories
Alternatives to standalone websites
If your website request is not approved, one of the following alternatives may be a good option for your content:
LiveWhale Storyteller for news and stories
LiveWhale Storyteller is a web-based application that helps you easily create, tell, and promote stories in any content management system. The IU Newsroom is built on this application.
Canvas for course materials
Canvas is the primary learning management system (LMS) for IU and the main tool for teaching courses. If you’re new to Canvas, check out Getting Started with Canvas as an Instructor. For more information, visit the Canvas Instructor Guide or the Canvas at IU page in the Knowledge Base.
Go.IU for a short, simple URL
IU faculty, staff, and students can use Go.IU to create a custom URL that’s short, easy to remember, and trackable for marketing purposes.
IU Blogs
The university provides IU Blogs for faculty, staff, and students who would like to publish a blog. All IU Blogs use an IU-branded WordPress template.
Request a website
FAQ
The review process takes about a week, and you may be contacted with follow up questions. If your website is approved, you’ll receive information about next steps. If your request is denied, your ServiceNow ticket will be updated with that information.
There are no costs associated with hosting websites on IU servers.
A virtual host is required. You'll request your URL as part of the website request process.
The WCMS Terms of Use can be found in the Knowledge Base.
For technical assistance, contact Tier 2 Support. For site development and coding support, contact webhelp@iu.edu.