FAQ web overhaul project
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As the EPFL new website project is progressing, the project team wants to provide some answers to some frequently asked questions.
When can I migrate my Jahia website to WordPress?
As soon as you have received an email from the VPSI team in charge of the migration that will tell you that you can check the content of your site on WordPress and send them your formal validation to migrate your content on WordPress.
When my site will be migrated to WordPress, what will it look like?
During the migration, the design on WordPress follows the current design guidelines. Once migrated to WordPress, your content will look the same - with a few details - as when it was on Jahia.
In this case, would not it be better to remain on Jahia while waiting for the new design?
No, because the new design will be available only on WordPress, and in the new structure www.epfl.ch. When the new theme and design components be ready to be implemented on WordPress, only the content already on WordPress will get the new design. In addition, the Jahia CMS is no longer supported and all EPFL content must be migrated to another platform as soon as possible.
When will the new design be ready?
The delivery of all new design elements and templates will be done during the Summer of 2018. Each website manager will receive information on the new EPFL web design guidelines as soon as the documentation is ready.
Who will take care of adapting the design of my website, once the new guidelines will be ready?
It is the responsibility of each website manager to adapt their content according to the new design elements as well as the editorial recommendations found on https://go.epfl.ch/editorial (temporary site in progress). The VPSI team in charge of the WordPress infrastructure will nonetheless modify the general theme, namely the general layout with header, navigation, footer and such.
I heard that the URLs were going to change and that all the EPFL websites would be grouped under one domain name. Is it correct ?
That's right. To reinforce SEO, the user journey as well as to avoid redundant information on several pages, all EPFL websites intended for a public external to the institution will be grouped under the domain name www.epfl.ch.
How will this new website be structured?
All the websites intended for external audiences will be grouped under 6 main portals / entries: "About EPFL" (general presentation of the institution), "Education" (all the pages related to education programs), "Research" (all information related to research at EPFL), "Innovation" (all web pages dealing with innovation at EPFL), "Faculties" (presentation of faculties and colleges) and " Campus "(life on campus, all services and events on campus).
How will the grouping in the new tree structure unfold?
The "distribution" of WordPress pages from one site to another is currently being tested. Given the large number of websites to manage (700+) and the adaptation of the design to be done (new navigation, new header, new footer), this work will be done in several times, beginning by the EPFL homepage, to progress little by little in the following levels.
Some pages do not currently exist - as, for example, the pages of main entries, called "level 1", or some pages of "level 2" (see simplified structure on the document below) - those could be prepared before adapting the design of the web pages that will be attached. The change will be gradual and the 2 design will coexist as the adaptation takes place.
How much time do we have to adapt our website?
First of all, we insist on the fact that you should migrate your website from Jahia to WordPress as soon as you receive the "green light" from the VPSI team in charge of the migration.
When will we be able to see a change appear?
The steering committee will give its opinion on the first 7 pages presenting the new design and the new structure at the end of summer 2018. The first pages to be published will be the EPFL homepage as well as the 6 pages of "level 1" (portals / main entrances), at the end of the Summer / early Fall of 2018, upon decision of the steering committee members. The pages of the following levels will be published afterwards. Each website manager will be informed as soon as the WordPress environment with the new theme and design components will be ready, so the adaptation will be possible.
And the new EPFL logo in all this?
The new logo will be visible online only at the beginning of the year 2019. The web project team closely works with the project team in charge of the new logo to integrate it into the new design guidelines.
From July 5th to August 23rd, on Tuesday mornings (9h-13h) and Thursday afternoons (13h-17h), come with your laptop to work on your web pages in room CO 216. In a studious and relaxed atmosphere, you will be able to work on your pages, benefit from the advice and suggestions of other web editors, and discuss your practices.
The training "Web writing" is also available: https://go.epfl.ch/webwriting
And the online help for WordPress can be found at: https://help-wordpress.epfl.ch/
I still have questions to ask you.
The project team remains at your disposal to answer all your questions by email on [email protected] or while sharing a coffee.
The flowchart below can also provide you with some answers.
Do not forget that you can find useful documents here: http://go.epfl.ch/RefonteWeb
Thank you for your attention and collaboration!
