Quick Start

1. Review our Web Policies & Standards

UCSB has a comprehensive set of policies and standards that cover key components you must consider when creating a website. This includes reviewing and adhering to the campus' brand guidelines that determine which fonts, images, colors, and logos should be used - all of which help UC Santa Barbara unify its message.

Please thoroughly review these policies & standards before proceeding.

2. Secure a Domain

Your site will need a web address (URL). Choose an address that is short, memorable, and comprehensible to people outside of your specific group. Please receive prior authorization to use a domain before requesting to create a site.

• Second-level domain: If you have a lab, center, or program type of site, consider partnering with your department directly for a second-level domain (mylab.psych.ucsb.edu)
• Top-level subdomain: The top-level domains are reserved for official UC Santa Barbara schools, divisions, departments, institutes, or other campus-level organizational units. Please review the guidelines.

3. Request a site on ServiceNow

Your next step is to request a new website through UC Santa Barbara IT services. Once you enter your UCSB NetID, select 'Messaging & Collaboration' and then 'UCSB Hosted Web Services.' Next, select 'UCSB Web Theme' in the dropdown labeled 'Type of site.' Further instructions and documentation will follow shortly thereafter.

If you'd like to request a demo or get help during this process, please request consultation.

4. Logo Lockups & Logins

UCSB has created a system of 3 sub-brand logo lock-ups to represent various departments and groups. Information about the different types of official UCSB logos and how they should be used can be found in the lock-up section of the Brand Identity site.

Newly created sites issued through the ServiceNow portal will receive a lockup from the Office of Public Affairs & Communications. You can also request an official logo lockup to use on your site, and our department will be happy to deliver those in a variety of formats for use in your digital and print materials.

Note: UCSB does not allow the use of unofficial or custom-designed logos in the header of UCSB websites.

Drupal login access to a Web Theme site is separate from Pantheon access. If a campus entity requests a site through ServiceNow, a member of our team will set up logins using CAS, also known as Single Sign On, which enables site admins and editors to log into a site using a UCSB NetID. Read more about this on our Adding Users page.

5. Plan Your Content

Great website content is not only well written, it's also well-organized so that users can easily find what they need. Start by identifying major topics in a spreadsheet or Word doc and organize those topics to develop a main menu navigation system. Next, write copy for each page and find photographs to complement it, if necessary. Spend some time checking out the competition, including websites you like and websites you don't. Over time, you'll begin to see what makes a site or sections of a site effective in telling a story.

6. Build Your Website

Create pages, build your menu and add images or videos. If your site is more policy-oriented and doesn't require photos to enhance the experience, fear not. We pack in rich layout features that provide things like card sorting, background accent colors, or border colors for call-outs. Remember to keep styling consistent across pages and make pages easy to read by including section headings, links and clear calls to action. Remember to follow accessibility guidelines when creating your content.

7. Pre-launch Checklist

Run through our pre-launch checklist to ensure your site is ready for use. It's important to review all of the content on your website with a fine-tooth comb. Of course, that means page content, but don't forget about your premium content too. From data-driven content and downloadable documents to rich media such as videos and images, you want to make sure everything is in place, working properly, and looking beautiful.

8. Launch Your Website

You've built your website, thoroughly reviewed it, and you're ready to share it with the world. Depending on the department, there may be dedicated IT support to assist with the launch. If not, we have staff ready to assist with this step. Once it's live, look over your site one more time to ensure everything is working properly. 

9. Register Your Website & Social Channels

Add your site to the official campus list of Web Theme sites.

Register your social media channels to the official campus Social Media Directory.