Website Domains and Names

MSU Domain Names

A domain is made up of the text characters used in a specific URL or path address. For example, msu.edu. When creating a website, a unit will need a domain name. These can be requested through MSU IT. Below are links with additional information.

Domain Names and DNS — This page provides information on domain names at MSU, including general information about domains, subdomains and DNS.
Domain Name Guidelines — This page provides information to guide selection of a domain name and instructions for requesting an msu.edu subdomain.

Information for Sitecore Users

When requesting a new website container from University Communications and Marketing, units can note their requested msu.edu subdomain name for approval on the request form. Units also can submit a request directly to MSU IT for preapproval before requesting a website container.

Note: Sitecore contracts limit use of the content management system to websites with an msu.edu subdomain. Websites using a non-msu.edu top-level domain (e.g., whartoncenter.com) cannot be built using Sitecore under MSU’s current contract.

MSU Website Names

Site identification is provided by the site name that displays in the site header area below the MSU masthead. The website name can be different than the domain name, but there should be a clear connection so visitors are not confused when they visit the website.

Two versions are available:

One-line — a single line that identifies the website unit
Multi-line — two or three lines that identify the website unit and parent or affiliate unit*

*The first line should refer to the website currently in use (similar to the one-line site name example), with a reverse hierarchical order displaying the site’s university affiliations.

Approved Variations

One-Line Example

A masthead showing one row of site name text. Row 1: "Digital Experience Studio" in large text. — Fig. 1: Example of one-line site name

Multi-Line Examples

A masthead showing two rows of site name text. Row 1: "University Communications" in medium text. Row 2: "Digital Experience Studio" in large text. — Fig. 2: Example of two-line site name — unit name (e.g., department or program) and parent unit name (e.g., college)

A masthead showing two rows of site name text. Row 1: "Digital Experience Studio" in large text. Row 2: "Marketing, Public Relations and Digital Strategy" in small text. — Fig. 3: Example of two-line site name — unit name (e.g., department or program) and parent unit name (e.g., college)

A masthead showing three rows of site name text. Row 1: "University Communications" in medium text. Row 2: "Digital Experience Studio" in large text. Row 3: "Marketing, Public Relations and Digital Strategy" in small text. — Fig. 5: Example of three-line site name — unit name (e.g., department or program), parent unit (e.g., college) and additional text

Site Name Link

The site name block, regardless of its content, should provide a single hyperlink back to the current site’s homepage.

Additional Required Elements

MSU Masthead

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Search Tool

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Legal Footer

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