If you were around for UTC’s last major website content migration six years ago, you may have some… memories. This time, we’re doing things differently. Once the retheme is complete, content will move to the new UTC.edu in carefully planned phases over the next two years. We have expert migration help on board, lessons learned from the last go-round, the same application, and industry best practices guiding the process. (Unlike the previous migration, we’re staying in Drupal rather than moving from one content management system to another—giving us a much more familiar starting point.) And, as an added bonus, no global pandemic to navigate! Additionally, we’ll also be updating our training videos and resources so you have the information you need before your area’s move begins.
What can you do now? Start packing light. There’s no need for a massive content-cleanup marathon. Instead, make it a habit to review the pages you manage a little at a time. Updating outdated information, removing content that no longer serves a purpose and dealing with unnecessary PDFs now will mean less to sort through later. We’ll provide guidance, support and plenty of notice before it’s your area’s turn.
Editor Action: Each week, log in to your site and choose just one or two pages to review. Read each page as if you’ve never seen it before—and as if you’re the visitor who came to UTC.edu looking for an answer.
- Ask if it still belongs. Is the information current, relevant and useful?
- Consider the audience. Does this information belong on the public website, or would it be better suited for an internal resource such as the Intranet?
- Check every link. Does it work, and does it still lead visitors to the right information?
- Verify the details. Check names, dates, phone numbers, email addresses and other contact information.
- Rethink the PDFs. Could a document become a more accessible, mobile-friendly webpage instead?
- Check accessibility. Review your heading structure and image alt text. Silktide can help with this lift.
- Clear the clutter. If something no longer helps your visitor find an answer or accomplish a task, update it, consolidate it or let it go.
A page or two each week adds up. By the time moving day arrives, you’ll have less to pack—and better content to bring with you.
Please reach out to us if you have questions, comments, or concerns.