We have come across many FAQs from our recent survey and throughout the website redesign project.
We hope the answers below provide context for those unfamiliar with the website creation process.
Q. When was the current site created?
- In 2017 led by a former dean and former MarCom staff
- In 2018-19 the current MarCom team worked with an external agency and the BU Interactive Design team to improve 2 key areas of our site: make the home page and news section interactive and dynamic; and build a new faculty research section.
Q. What are the priorities for the new website?
- Create content geared toward several key target audiences, each with diverse needs and unique pain points, in a thoughtful, effective, and visitor-friendly format
- Prospective students
- Current students
- Faculty & Staff
- Alumni
- Academic peers
- Community Partners
- Media
- Donors
- Create thoughtful & simple navigation; robust search functionality; mobile responsiveness; calls to action (CTAs); prioritization of the most important content; and accessibility.
Q. Where did the brand colors for the site and the school come from?
- The current brand color palette was developed in 2017 when the current website was created. Since that time, those colors have been infused in all marketing materials to reinforce the school’s brand and identity, which follows best practices in marketing. Since the palette is limited, we will expand it during this website project to incorporate more BU red and other colors – while still utilizing a few of the current brand colors we have invested in for the past several years. It is necessary to transition carefully so we don’t confuse external audiences who are used to seeing our existing brand colors, and so we can still utilize the many materials we have already invested money in. We know color preferences can be subjective across our audiences.
Q. Why don’t we have more images of students and faculty/staff/agency interaction?
- This is an area we want to improve as well. Setting up photo shoots has been challenging for a variety of reasons: some students do not want to be part of promotion for the school, privacy concerns for students and field agency partners, and time constraints for fac/staff/students during the school year. We plan to set up a range of photo shoots this year– if you know students who would want to participate, please let us know. Also, if you are faculty and willing to set aside time before or after classes for photos, we would appreciate knowing that too.
Q. Who manages the content on key pages?
- There are many “content owners and contributors” at our school who manage the information on their dept. pages. If you find incorrect information or feel necessary info is missing, please feel free to contact the department directly. Some depts., such as career services & alumni relations, have not had dedicated staff for the past few years, so those pages will be updated soon. If you are unsure which dept. is involved, feel free to email ssw-marcom@bu.edu.