Do you need a website? Last Updated January 2026 Before committing to a longterm resource intensive website for your project or event consider these alternative options: Peer Promotion The first step for most projects is to announce their existence on an umbrella or sister website. It’s important to create relationships with your peers to help promote your project. Definitely reach out to our Communications staff to get started. If there is a similar or complimentary project on campus ask them to help promote your project too. Consider offline promotional options as well. Look for newsletters, e-newsletters, list serves, publications, events board or bulletin board where you can promote your project. Use a promotion on the department or college site as a landing page for your other promotions or include direct contact information or link to a social network, email or wiki. Social Network First, don’t forget to also ask your peers to promote your project on their social networks. Then consider starting one yourself. The Web team are not experts on social networking but we have a few tips. One thing we do know is that if you can’t keep a social network updated and people engaged then you probably shouldn’t have a website. Other Online Tools When you’re just starting out it may only be necessary to have something to link to or a place to start storing and sharing information. There are several tools on campus, for file storage, surveys, archives, and more that you can read about in this round up of campus options. Before You Create a Website You must contact the Director of Communications in accordance with the College Website Policy. Be sure you have thought carefully and defined your mission, vision and brand for your project. Our Communications staff can help ensure you are using brand assets for the university, college and your department. These things will help to determine the voice, tone and style for all things associated with your project. Also give some thought to who your audience is and know how writing for the Web is different than writing for print. An outline of your content can help plan the pages and navigation for your site. Finally, consider your content strategy and the ongoing time and resources to maintain the site. Learn More Learn Content Strategy Basics from usability.gov. Web Design: Efficient Workflow and UX Foundations: Content Strategy on LinkedIn Learning.
