{"id":24052,"date":"2020-09-01T12:53:52","date_gmt":"2020-09-01T16:53:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/edu\/?p=24052"},"modified":"2020-11-02T16:46:23","modified_gmt":"2020-11-02T21:46:23","slug":"its-here-york-launches-first-phase-of-new-and-improved-website","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/edu\/2020\/09\/01\/its-here-york-launches-first-phase-of-new-and-improved-website\/","title":{"rendered":"It's here! York launches first phase of new and improved website"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The York community is invited to visit the University\u2019s new website<\/a><\/strong> which launched on Aug. 31 with a modern design, enhanced functionality and an improved user experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of the new pan-University web optimization strategy, the website underwent a major refresh to significantly improve the experience for visitors and infuse elements of York\u2019s new visual system and brand. The new Faculty of Education web site <\/a>was one of the pilot sites for the launch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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York University\u2019s new website features a modern design, enhanced functionality and an improved user experience<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The website gives users a mobile-first, content-driven and social media-enabled experience. The yorku.ca<\/a> main page projects a warm and welcoming feeling while also capturing York\u2019s progressiveness through a dynamic video showcasing the strengths of York\u2019s programs and community. A key element of giving users a more streamlined experience is the new universal navigation throughout the site, designed with key audience objectives in mind. With a few clicks, audiences can access relevant information and resources on an easy-to-navigate website. The Faculty of Education's website was <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the last major update to York\u2019s website in 2014, the way users look for information has evolved dramatically. A critical part of the process has been extensive backend work to help ensure York\u2019s website is higher in search engine results, and that York\u2019s site and its pages are easier to find for external visitors and the University community. The new website allows the University to meet the Jan. 1, 2021 deadline for enhanced accessibility requirements, mandated by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act<\/a> (AODA), for websites and web content published after 2012.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe first phase launch of York\u2019s refreshed website marks the culmination of a comprehensive effort to give visitors a more rewarding and enriching online experience,\u201d says York University\u2019s Chief Communications and Marketing Officer Susan Webb<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe site you see today reflects York\u2019s shared sense of purpose and identity by capturing who we are, what we stand for, and what we offer. We believe the refreshed website will become a point of pride for many of us in the York community and beyond,\u201d says Webb. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The website updates were informed by extensive research conducted with 16 key audiences, and broad consultation with University communication managers and website owners. A Digital Experience Council (DEC) was created as part of the governance structure to bring together representation from across the University to help ensure the successful planning and implementation of the project, and to guide ongoing improvements and updates. Industry best practices were also applied to the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Led by York\u2019s Director, University Brand & Marketing, Robin Edmison<\/strong>, in close co-operation with University Information Technology (UIT), the project was truly a collaborative, multi-stakeholder effort. \u201cWe are grateful for the commitment and valuable input of our dedicated stakeholders and key audiences,\u201d says Edmison. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to the size and complexity of York\u2019s website, full implementation will occur in phases. Today marks the completion of phase one, which includes launching more than 15 full and partial websites such as the main page, and several Faculty and Divisional sites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second phase of implementation, which is planned from September to January 2021, will include additional Faculty and divisional optimized websites. View a previous YFile<\/em> article<\/a> for more specific details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key features<\/strong> now on York\u2019s new website include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n