Overview of SUNY Plattsburgh Approved Web Development Plan

Plattsburgh State Web Development

• Overview

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A Brief Overview of the Development Plan

(Prepared for Deans' Cabinet Meeting - July 7, 2004 )

Key Point

The Web Marketing approach to developing official web pages follows a deliberate plan.

Decisions are not arbitrary. They are grounded in empirical research, mainly in the areas of website development and standards; cohort characteristics of our prospective students and their influencers; and handicapped accessibility issues.

Underlying Premise

Strong, positive relationships between the College and its constituencies increases the ability of the College to realize its institutional goals.

Primary Web Marketing Goal

To create and develop positive relationships with the College's key audiences by providing them with the online content they seek and by making sure that they have a satisfactory web experience, with opportunities for interaction.

Three Top Web Strategies to Achieve the Goal

1. Build a site that is audience-focused, beginning with but not limited to prospective students and their families
2. Follow the best practices that are known to institutional web development. Actions that serve this strategy include:
   1. Separating HTML content from page design
   2. Strong writing that follows recognized style guidelines for the web
   3. Quick delivery of important messages
   4. Consistency of look and feel across the site
   5. Intuitive navigation from the audience perspective, with a consistent design interface
3. Adhere to New York State legal requirements for handicapped accessibility

Additional Notes

1. Our consumers have high expectations for web functionality, information, and services. The Web plays an especially prominent role in their college-search process.
2. Our website has been designated as an official publication of Plattsburgh State. As such, official pages are best described as "owned by the college," and not by individual departments. Faculty have opportunities for more personal and professional autonomy on the Faculty Server.
3. The Web Editor's role and the editorial process function within the publication model, under the guidelines presented in the College's approved Web Policies and in accord with the Web Editor's performance program.
4. We have implemented a process that establishes roles and responsibilities for stakeholders as content providers (as opposed to "web designers") for official pages, with oversight by chairs and deans.