June 18, 2024
Local Unit Website Upgrades
In 2021 the university unveiled new website templates. As they worked through upgrading on-campus department websites, we got a glimpse at what these new templates looked like. The web services department is now ready to assist KSRE local units in their website upgrades. I've included information on the process and details about the different upgrade options below. If you still have questions about the website and/or upgrades, please email me at mstopps@ksu.edu. I will answer your question to the best of my ability or connect you with the proper representative.
I've included details below on the two options you can select from for your upgrade. For examples of what local unit web upgrades look like, visit the links below.
Upgrade Process:
There are two options when it comes to upgrading local unit websites into the new website design templates, option #1 is the less labor intensive of the two. Web services will simply take your existing site and migrate it over into the updated design. Option #2 requires more skill and understanding of the content management system (CMS), and is for those who want to make major changes to their websites, like reorganizing/changing site navigation. I've included more details on each option below...
Option 1:
- Easiest option.
- Web services will migrate existing pages into the new look (automatic upgrade).
- Takes approximately 1-3 days to complete. During this time, you will need to be available should web services have questions for you during the migration process.
- Because banner image sizes have changed in the new design, you will have to update these/upload new images. When it comes time for your upgrade, Communications Solutions will provide links to image galleries with photos formatted for the new templates. You are free to use these in the process.
Option 2:
- More labor intensive and requires more in-depth knowledge/understanding of the content management system (CMS). I compare this one to being given a sandbox and tools, but it's up to you to build the sandcastle how you imagine/envision.
- Web services would make a copy of your website in a development site (i.e. beta site) not visible to the public.
- The beta site would allow you to manipulate your website/make major changes without them being live for the public to see.
- If immediate changes need to be made to your site, you would have to make sure they also get made to the beta site.
- Once you have the beta site how you want it, web services would publish the site (make it live) and archive the old website.
Sign up for the website upgrade of your choice here. We will begin working through this list toward the end of the June. Prior to the upgrade, we'll send out an informational packet that contains website resources and CMS how-to's. Please read/review all resources provided in this informational email.
(Small disclaimer: the CMS is not changing. The website management system will still look the same when you login to your website using your K-State eid. Only webpage templates/designs will look different.)