University of West Florida Web pages are accessed by prospective students, current students, faculty, staff, alumni, visitors and researchers. These pages are often the first contact that these audiences have with the university. Others return again and again for information, research and entertainment.

There are more than 500,000 currently active Web pages at UWF. Since search engines make it simple for Web users to go directly to a page deep inside a site, it is critical for these users to have a clear indication that the page they are visiting is directly related to UWF. Consistency between university Web pages is essential.

Therefore, UWF strives to provide a common look and feel across most university-sponsored pages (personal Web sites are not in the scope of this effort). The “look” of a page applies to its visual nature, including graphics, colors, fonts and layouts. The “feel” applies to the organization of the page, including navigation, editing style and content. This goal is being achieved via a set of standard templates and documentation to assist the university’s Web developers.

Timeline for the second redesign of the UWF's Web Presence

The next redesign of UWF's Web Presence will be implemented in three phases. In Phase I, campus Web developers will have several opportunities to voice their suggestions relating to the development of a new look and feel of the Web presence. Because the Web template structure is already in place, the new look and feel will be deployed with little work on the part of campus Web developers.

Phase I (Aug. 2008 to Sept. 2008)

• Web Team hosts listening groups with Web developers to gauge satisfaction level with current templates, discuss problems and listen to suggestions for new design of the templates
• Web Team develops new sketches for uwf.edu and templates
• Sketches refined and satisfaction achieved among all Web Team members

Phase II (Oct. 2008 to Nov. 2008)

• Web Advisory Committee reviews sketches and deployment plan/timeline
• Dean's Council and Cabinet review sketches and deployment plan/timeline
• Sketches refined based on feedback
• Conduct usability tests of sketches with high school students, faculty and staff and current students; Refine sketches as necessary

Phase III (Jan. 2009 to May 2009)

• Seek final approvals from Web Advisory Committee and Cabinet for sketches and deployment plan
• Communicate new look and changes to Web developers and campus community
• Launch new uwf.edu and Web templates in May 2009
• Refine Web Developer Certification Program and other Support Sessions as needed.

For more information, contact Jaimie Woodard, chair of the Web Presence Team, at webpresence@uwf.edu.