University of Wisconsin–Madison

Choosing the Best Format for Digital Content

Whenever possible, it’s best to prioritize placing content in an HTML web page rather than uploading documents. Linked Documents All linked documents — including PDFs, Word files, PowerPoint presentations, and Excel spreadsheets — must be tested for digital accessibility before posting to any university web property. Decision Tree: Should I upload a document? Go through …

Project milestone: New WMAA website enhances connections with MD alumni

On August 28, 2023, the new website for the Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association launched. This is the second of four site launch events associated with this project. Founded in 1956, the mission of WMAA is to “create lasting relationships between the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health alumni and students by visibly …

Project milestone: New NACHP website centers Indigenous representation

On July 31, 2023, the new website for the Native American Center for Health Professions (NACHP) launched. This is the first of four site launch events associated with this project. Previously, NACHP content existed within the /education/ section of med.wisc.edu. NACHP is one of three programs that, after discussion and careful consideration of pros and …

Subdomains for NACHP, WPP and WMAA

This summer, web content for the Native American Center for Health Professions (NACHP), the Wisconsin Partnership Program (WPP), and the Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association (WMAA) will be moved out of the med.wisc.edu site and into subdomains. The move to subdomains will provide a more tailored content strategy and a better user experience. The decision followed …

Make it Plain

Many of us in academia tend to overwrite. We pad our sentences with complex words and phrases to add gravitas and convey prestige. To be fair, it’s not just academics who do it. Who hasn’t used “at the present time,” “a multitude of,” or “in the event of” in place of “now,” “many” and “if?” …

Understanding the Role of Content Modeling and Information Architecture

Imagine going on an adventure in the woods and relying on two different systems of trails that allow you to walk or wheel your way through the area. One system has well-maintained signs that are simple to navigate with easy to follow paths. On this trail system, you have a clear sense of where you’ve …

Usability and Accessibility Issues with PDFs

One of the most popular file formats used in working and learning environments — PDF, which stands for Portable Document Format — has significant limitations when repurposed for web content. PDF files have become the “informational currency” used to run many organizations. They are easy to make. Anyone can use a word processing application such …

Benefits of Defining your Audience

Even though target audiences for higher education websites are often challenging to narrow down, doing so is essential to creating quality user experiences, effective content, coherent design and meaningful usability testing.

WordPress Selected as Content Management System

WordPress has been selected as the new content management system (CMS) for the SMPH relaunch. This is a shift from the current CMS called Terminalfour (T4), which is a proprietary platform licensed by UW Health. Switching the site to WordPress will allow some efficiencies and will enable SMPH to benefit from and contribute to the …

Selecting a Web Development Vendor

This month, SMPH's Office of Strategic Communications staff are interviewing web development vendors and evaluating WordPress hosting options. When working with vendors, it's helpful to share your requirements as well as applicable university policies, guidelines and standards.