November 2024 Web Updates

At our November Open Web Product Meeting, we discussed several exciting updates and ongoing projects. Here’s a brief recap of what we covered:

1. Slate Integration

We kicked off the meeting with an update on the integration of Slate, our CRM platform. This integration is a key step in enhancing how we manage communications and streamline workflows for various departments. While implementation is still in progress, the potential for improving data handling and outreach through Slate is looking very promising.

2. Smart Search

Our Smart Search feature continues to evolve, with recent tweaks aimed at improving search relevance and user experience. Enhancements include better filtering and sorting capabilities, which will make it easier for users to find the content they need quickly and efficiently.

3. Expand/Collapse All for Accordion

A new feature is coming to our accordion elements: Expand/Collapse All. This functionality will allow users to easily expand or collapse all sections within an accordion, making navigation on content-heavy pages more user-friendly. It’s a small tweak, but one that will improve the overall user experience.

4. Text Adjustments

We took a closer look at text adjustments and how they’re being implemented across our sites. A few examples from sciences.ncsu.edu were shared, showcasing how small adjustments to font size, line height, and spacing can make a significant impact on readability and accessibility. We’ll continue to refine these changes for consistency across the web.

5. CPT Documentation

Our Content Types (CPT) documentation has been updated, with clearer instructions and examples to help content maintainers work more efficiently. This update should reduce confusion and make it easier for anyone involved in content creation to navigate and utilize our various content types.

6. TOC Block (Quick Links)

The Table of Contents (TOC) Block now functions more like a set of quick links, allowing users to easily jump to different sections of content. This is an improvement for lengthy pages and is designed to enhance the user’s ability to navigate quickly, improving site usability overall.

7. Grid and Spacing Improvements

We reviewed recent changes to our grid and spacing systems. By standardizing spacing and aligning content in a more visually balanced way, we’re ensuring a cleaner, more consistent design across different pages. This will help with both aesthetic appeal and functional clarity.

8. News Post Improvements Collaboration

There was a collaborative discussion about how to improve news post layouts. Teams from across the university are working together to refine the design and functionality of news posts, making them more dynamic and easier to read. This will lead to better engagement with our audience.

9. v4.7

We’re gearing up for the release of version 4.7, which will include a series of updates and bug fixes. The focus for this release is stability and performance improvements, ensuring that all features run smoothly across different devices and browsers.

10. Brand Site Features

There’s been progress on the development of new features for our brand site. We’re enhancing visual consistency across university sites, ensuring that they all reflect the NC State brand guidelines more closely. This will create a more cohesive online presence for the university.

11. WP 6.7

Finally, we touched on the upcoming WordPress (WP) 6.7 update. This update promises to bring improvements in performance and security, along with new tools that will help streamline content management. We’re excited to see how this will improve the backend experience for content creators.