Frequently Asked Questions

The following are common questions we get from new clients. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to us! We also have a FAQ on content standards, as well as turorials for current web updaters.

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Who is Campus Web Technology?

We're a team of website designers, curators, content writers, and developers. We work for SUNY Upstate Medical University to create and maintain sites on Upstate.edu.

Designers - create the look and feel of your site.
Content curators - add and organize your site's text, links, images, videos, and documents.
Content writers - optimize your content to improve readability and search engine optimization.
Developers - work behind the scenes on the technical side to make sure your site is fast and safe for users. They implement our latest features and update existing ones.

What are the benefits of having my content on Upstate.edu?

Hosting your content on Upstate.edu is beneficial for many reasons. This includes:

Brand consistency: Maintaining the Upstate branding and standards for a consistent and up-to-date look using approved Upstate assets.
Reduced confusion: Users remain in a single ecosystem on their browser journey and avoid having to jump between websites. Our clean and consistent designs and intuitive navigation help users get the information they need in one location.
Improved Search Engine Optimization (SEO) performance: Having a single location for your information reduces any unintended competition in search engine results.
Web accessibility: As a state entity we adhere to strict guidelines (see the official SUNY policy) and consistently check our site against the latest state, national, and international guidelines and best practices. We want all users, especially those with disabilities, to get the information they need from our site in an accessible manner.
Stability: Upstate.edu has been a domain for decades, trusted by users and our peers, and that's not going to change. As your coworkers at Upstate, our job is to maintain and improve Upstate.edu. We're ready and happy to assist you!

How do I get a new site?

Visit our page on requesting a new site.
Talk with your team about what you want to see on your site. Start by focusing on the "prerequisite information" (your site name, your audience, your lead contact).
Submit a ticket! Our experienced web designers will reach out to you to schedule a preliminary meeting. Then, we'll begin working with you, as a team, to design a site that best fits the needs of you and your audience.

What if my site is inaccurate or out of date?

Send us a ticket (ASAP!). We want to assist you with fixing this information as soon as possible, as we agree it's essential for your users to get accurate information. The sooner send us your updates, the sooner they will be fixed. If you want additional design or layout changes, we can do that too. But first things first, let's get your site fixed!

How can my site be more exciting?

Good news! We have great features and we're adding more all the time. We're constantly learning and evolving our capabilities based on current web trends while maintaining a clear user-friendly experience. Our talented design team will provide you with a framework that best suits your needs.

What's the timeline for my site to go live?

Although all projects are different, this is what a common project timeline looks like. If your site is only a few pages, uses existing designs, and the content is ready to go, the project may last only a few weeks. However, if your site has multiple sections and requires extensive content creation, design, and revisions, it could take a few months.

Potential "Phase One" Timeline

Talk with your team

Focus on who your intended audience is and what they may expect from your site.

Contact us

Send us a web ticket to request a new site.

Let's meet!

We'll set up an initial meeting with you and your team to create a plan of action.

Draft designs and content

Our team will build out a barebones site with a design based on your needs. Since your team is the experts in your field, you'll likely be tasked with creating the content - although we can help with this as well!

Assemble and curate

Once the content is ready, we will add it to the site and curate the experience for an optimum user experience.

Approval and push live

When both our teams feel the site is ready for users to see, we will push it live and promote it throughout the Upstate.edu website. The sooner it goes live, the sooner it can be promoted and found in search engines.

Phase Two: revisions and training

Once the site is live, we will close out the project. Afterward, your site may need a few yearly edits or it may require constant attention. For future edits, you can fill out a web ticket and our team will make the changes. We'll likely encourage at least one person in your team to get trained in Cascade so you can make changes on your own. If there are still large content, design, or organizational changes to be made, we may suggest creating a new project.

Will I be able to update my site?

Yes, after your site is ready and live it can be updated at any time. We can train you (or a member of your team) to update your site. You will be given access to update much of the content on your site and you'll have the ability to create and organize new content.

The web team can also update and add content for you. You may find that there are some features and layouts on your site that are more complicated to use. We'd be happy to help you make those updates! Additionally, we can update the look and feel of your site and can create a new redesign if you want a refreshed look.

What if I forget what I learned in training?

Don't worry, we have our web training and tutorial materials online that you can access at any time. Many tutorials have both written and video directions. You can also ask for retraining if you want a more in-depth refresher.

Our team is always willing to help you update your site when needed as well. We get it, you may only need to make a few updates a year, while we're making dozens of updates a day and we're experienced in our content management systems. We can guide you through making your changes or you can request us to complete them. Just fill out a ticket and let us know how we can help!

New Site Prerequisites