Development Requests for New Websites

Our Web Development team offers services to help build a solid and efficient online presence for your school, department, or institution. In today’s world, having an online presence is a very valuable key in marketing to and communicating with your audience.

Each new website we develop utilizes our Content Management System. This system allows you to focus on what you care about most: the content. We take care of the web design and styling to allow you to focus directly on the content. With a few clicks you can create entire pages with ease. Anyone who is familiar with Microsoft Word will feel right at home in the content editing environment.

Our design team proactively focuses on the latest development trends and technologies. We are dedicated to delivering cutting-edge, accessible, and efficient web experiences.

Our CMS platform has integrations with the HSC Directory, WVU Calendar, the HSC News System, and Wufoo forms to help create a dynamic website. 

Timelines For New Websites

Existing Template

(New website, Department within a website, Division within a website, Organization within a website, etc.)

• Website request form must be submitted 3 weeks before the day that the website will launch
  • Your communicator or the ITS Web Development team will contact you within 3 business days of submitting the form
  • All content will be reviewed by your communicator or the Web Development team and may be subject to approval by your communicator
• Client is responsible for adding all content with the help of your communications team and the ITS Web Development team
• Website must be submitted to the ITS Web Development team 1 week before launch so it can be put through an accessibility review
  • The ITS Web Development team will check the website within 3 business days
  • Failure to meet deadlines may result in the launch date pushed
• A custom URL must be set up 1 week before launch
• Deadline must be given upon submission

Customized Existing Template

(New website, Department within a website, Division within a website, Organization within a website, etc.)

• Website request form must be submitted 6 weeks before the day that the website will launch
  • Your communicator or the ITS Web Development team will contact you within 3 business days of submitting the form
  • All content will be reviewed by your communicator or the ITS Web Development team and may be subject to approval by your communicator
• The scope of the custom development will be determined within the first 2 weeks
  • All content relevant to the custom development must be provided at the initial meeting
  • Failure to meet deadlines may result in the launch date pushed
  • A rough development timeline will be established in the meeting based on the scope
    • 2-4 weeks development time on average for projects of this scope
• Client is responsible for adding all content with the help of your communications team and the ITS Web Development team
• Website must be submitted to the ITS Web Development team 1 week before launch so it can be put through an accessibility review
  • The ITS Web Development team will check the website within 3 business days
  • Failure to meet deadlines may result in the launch date pushed
• A custom URL must be set up 1 week before launch
• Deadline must be given upon submission

New Website From Scratch

• Website request form must be submitted 12 weeks before the day that the website will launch
  • This timeline can be subject to adjustment as it depends on the complexity and volume of content
  • Your communicator or the ITS Web Development team will contact you within 3 business days of submitting the form
  • All content will be reviewed by your communicator or the ITS Web Development team and may be subject to approval by your communicator
• Meetings will be set for every week or 2 weeks until launch
• The content strategy and templates will be determined within the first 2 weeks
  • All content must be provided at the initial meeting
  • Failure to meet deadlines may result in the launch date pushed
  • Roughly 8 weeks design/development time on average for projects of this scope
• The ITS Web Development team will work the client to add content
• Website must be submitted to the ITS Web Development team 2 weeks before launch for accessibility check
  • The ITS Web Development team must check the website within 4 business days
  • Failure to meet deadlines may result in the launch date pushed
• A custom URL must be set up 1 week before launch
• Deadline must be given upon submission

Getting Started 

To request a new website please fill out the Website Request Form. Upon receiving your form our web development team will review your request and contact you within 5 business days to discuss the project timeline.

Once you have submitted your request you should begin steps to:

• Identify the target audience of the website
• Gather all relevant content for the website including media
• Develop a Site Map and basic understanding of content structure and order importance

Please be aware that development of the website cannot start until the content is developed.

Here is a Website Sitemap Example that you can use to help design your own sitemap. This Website Layout Example will give you some ideas on how to describe the order of importance of the website content.

Project Development

After your initial request our team will contact you to schedule a Client Strategy Meeting to review your planned website material and site map. Based on this meeting the client will enter into a Website Project Contract where we will define the project timeline and responsibilities of each party to ensure successful and timely completion of your project.