Recommended web platforms
There are different options for hosting your website at the University, depending on the nature of your content. This page explains which platform is best for you.
Within an existing site in the CMS
Why
If you just need a small number of pages of information for external audiences, then these could be part of an existing department, faculty or research website.
How
You’ll need to discuss this with the respective website owner. Visit the section owners directory to see who this is.
Support
The website owner of the site your pages are published in will be your first point of contact for support and updates.
Example URL
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/department-name/section-name/page-name
A new site in the CMS
Why
The CMS is suitable for external-facing University websites where the subject matter is related to the University's core activities.
These activities include student engagement, research, projects and networks, where the University is a lead partner and beneficiary.
If your content does not fit into an existing site on the CMS and you have a lot of information, then you may need your own website.
How
You can request a new website using the new website request form. If you've not been trained on the CMS, the request will initiate your enrolment onto an online CMS training course. This needs to be completed before you can build your website.
Support
The CMS is a supported service, so help is available from IT Services and Corporate Communications. Your first point of call should be our tutorials and guidance on all aspects of the CMS, followed by contact information.
Example URL
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/site-name
Google Sites
Why
The permissions options on Google Sites make them useful for internal-facing websites that have a select audience, as access can be restricted to specific people, both within and outside of the University.
A Google Site can also be used for hosting external-facing content (such as student societies and projects), as long as they do not duplicate or replace core external-facing content on the main CMS University website.
Google Sites can address functionality requirements the CMS cannot meet, as it is possible to embed your own widgets and connect seamlessly to G Suite applications and plugins.
This is also the appropriate platform for you if your site requires a unique look and feel, for example for a collaborative research project with stakeholders from different institutions.
How
These sites can be set up quickly by anyone with a University Google account by clicking the dots at the top right of your Google Drive account and choosing 'Sites'.
Support
Google Sites is not a fully supported service but there is lots of information out there on how to use it.
LinkedIn Learning for Google Sites is available to University staff and students through MUSE.
You can also attend a Digital Drop In session with any questions, although there is limited expertise within the University on how to manage Google Sites.
Example URLs
https://sites.google.com/sheffield.ac.uk/site-name (default)
https://site-name.sites.sheffield.ac.uk (by request)
https://www.site-name.com (only available to site owners who already own a custom domain name)
Example websites
cPanel web hosting
Why
The cPanel service is only appropriate under very specific circumstances, when bespoke functionality is required that is not available (and where there is not an acceptable alternative solution) in either the CMS or Google Sites.
How
We review all applications for new cPanel accounts to ensure they are only created for the correct purposes, and that owners have the skills and provisions in place to maintain the account and website files throughout their lifecycle.
Applications must be approved by the cPanel project, Information Security and the applicants HoD or faculty before an account is provided.
How to apply for a cPanel account
Support
Unlike sites hosted on the University CMS and on Google, cPanel sites incur development, maintenance, hosting and domain costs for the site owner.
Other considerations:
- cPanel is not a supported service. You will need to maintain your files yourself and will not receive assistance managing your site
- Account holders must ensure their files are constantly maintained in accordance with the Regulations on the Use of Computing Facilities, the IT Code of Practice, the Guidelines for Web Providers and the Guidelines for use of the cPanel web-manager service.
- You will be responsible for ensuring your cPanel website is compliant in terms of the latest accessibility legislation
- You will be responsible for ensuring your cPanel website has an appropriate privacy and cookie policies and adheres to any relevant data protection regulations.
- You may be required to move your files to better-assured platforms in the future if the University asks you to, due to changes to the service
- You will be accountable for ensuring that all day-to-day maintenance as well as annual reviews of your cPanel web pages take place.
- Failure to maintain the cPanel website and follow rules and regulations will result in the account being suspended.
Example URL
http://site-name.group.shef.ac.uk/
Summary
|
Platforms |
CMS |
Google Sites |
cPanel |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Purpose |
Publishing University-related information and activities, including collaborative work with other institutions |
Publishing content for a specific set of users (including colleagues outside of the University) Widgets and plugins for bespoke functionality A unique or neutral look and feel free from UoS branding for showcasing collaborative work |
When bespoke functionality is not possible with the CMS or Google Sites |
|
Audience |
Public |
Public, internal or restricted |
Public or restricted |
| Central approval required? | Yes | No | Yes |
|
Support available? |
Yes |
Limited |
No |
|
In-house training available? |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
Financial cost to set up? |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Technical maintenance required? |
No |
Some (may be required when embedding or integrating with other systems) |
Yes |
|
Google Analytics available by default? |
Yes |
No - can be added by owner |
No - can be added by owner |
| Unique domain name | No | Yes - by special request (and if a domain name has been purchased) | Yes - if a domain name has been purchased |