MSU Web Standards
MSU Web Standards provide guidance on website elements and practices that are required for every institutional web page, regardless of the content management system, or CMS, used to build the website.
MSU’s enterprise content management systems include accessible, mobile-first features and functionality designed to meet the communication needs of units and the expectations of audiences. Common website elements have been created to improve user experience and speed the time and reduce the cost of building websites.
Share the unit’s success, news and information with Sitecore news stories. These can be highlighted through several component styles to share content on various pages. Filterable lists enable story searching by date, category, type and/or department.
Highlight upcoming events on the unit’s website through several Sitecore component styles. Filterable lists enable event searching by date, type, category, audience and/or department. Back-end tagging enables embedding filtered lists on specific webpages, such as program-specific events on a program page. Each event has a landing page with additional information and can link to external systems for tickets and registration.
The people directory system enables a searchable list of faculty and staff members on Sitecore-based websites. These can include a basic listing, as well as individual profile pages. Profiles can be built out to include many fields and sections, such as position titles — including the ability to accommodate multiple appointments, bios, photos, contact information, awards and publication links.
A visually appealing, mobile-first academic programs directory allows units to highlight their programs on a webpage in a searchable format with filters for program level and format. This helps prospective students with their program research prior to applying. The experience is cohesive with what this audience has come to expect after engaging with the Admissions website.
Sprinklr users can embed social media feeds from department accounts directly into their Sitecore-based website using purpose-built components. The website feeds automatically update when new posts are added to the channels, and the feed content is controlled by content rules managed by the department. Add a Sprinklr Link In Bio page to the unit’s Instagram account to push social media visitors to story and events pages on the unit website.
A flexible solution for the website masthead, the Sitecore brand bar allows units to articulate the relationship between college, unit and the university, while also providing space for landing page calls to action for audiences and goals, such as apply, visit and donate.
University Communications and Marketing has developed “model home” site approaches for colleges and academic department sites, making the migration to the platform even easier. There are two approaches: one college website with integrated department content pages or multiple sites (one per department and the college site). Both approaches can be customized, but the initial work regarding information architecture modeling is ready for units to build on.
MSU Web Standards provide guidance on website elements and practices that are required for every institutional web page, regardless of the content management system, or CMS, used to build the website.
Optimizing content for various types of search tools can help the audience find a unit’s website content, whether they’re using voice, AI or traditional web search techniques. Learn more about best practices for search engine optimization, or SEO.
The university’s enterprise CMS is Sitecore. Find resources and documentation, including a system overview, system user guide and component guides here.
MSU’s legacy enterprise content management system is Cascade Server. This system was last upgraded in 2018. No new upgrades are planned for the system, although existing users are supported. Find resources for Cascade here.
Sitecore Content Hub includes two sections: Digital Asset Manager, also referred to as DAM, and Operations, or Ops. Access to both functions is limited to University Communications and Marketing staff.
Learn more about the MSU Digital Experience Program initiatives to improve audience experiences and enhance communications workflows.
Best practices for website information architecture, navigation, page structure and mobile-first design.
Best practices and learning resources for website analytics, key performance indicators, or KPIs, and performance measurement.
Tools and tactics for integrating social media and website content include social account promotion links, the university social media directory, Sprinklr Gallery embeds, open graph tagging and X cards.
The website project framework, developed by University Communications and Marketing, provides an overview of general project stages and a comprehensive list of required and optional tasks associated with a website project.
Follow a prelaunch checklist to ensure old websites are properly archived and new websites are optimized to be pushed live to production.