Although web design and development are usually crucial skill sets for creating and running a well-functioning website, at NC State they are some of the least necessary skills to hold because the university has created easy-to-use, flexible website creation tools available to all campus members.

This technological head start will allow you to devote more focus to the most important component of a successful website: content. Understanding how to structure the pages on your site and create clear, usable, easily navigable content are the most important skills required to create a strong website.

Having a solid content foundation will also help you integrate your website into your broader communications and marketing efforts, which may include email, social media and advertising.

The First Steps

Before you get started with your site, you need to have a high-level understanding of what will happen during each phase of the website creation process. The website life cycle is broken into multiple discrete phases.

After you understand the overall life cycle, you can begin procuring your web hosting and identifying your site’s domain name. University Communications and Marketing has created and maintains the NC State Web Platform, a flexible WordPress theme available in a Free Tier and a Premium Tier. This is the platform that almost all NC State websites use.

Hosting and other support for the platform is provided by the Office of Information Technology.

Creating Content

Before you actually begin writing the content that will go on your webpages, you need to figure out how you are going to arrange content on your site. This content strategy phase creates the blueprint for how people will use your site and find answers to their questions.

Once you know what your site’s page structure will be, you can begin writing and laying out pages. Effectively laying out a page combines both writing and design skills. Since many website users only skim a page rather than reading it word for word, it is important to pair your written content with visual cues to help your users find the section of the page that has an answer to their question.

After your site launches and users begin consuming content on it, you’ll need to make sure it’s meeting their needs. By using analytics tools you can see which pages your users are visiting the most. Comparing their behavior to your expectations will allow you to make necessary adjustments to your content and site structure.