MTSU Web Training Hub
Site Governance & Ownership
As a Site Manager, you help ensure your website remains accurate, current, accessible, and useful to visitors.
For many departments, website management responsibilities are handled by a single person who coordinates updates, gathers information from colleagues, and maintains the overall quality of the site.
In this module, you’ll learn the key responsibilities of a Site Manager, how to establish a content review routine, and when to work with the Web Team for assistance.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Explain the responsibilities of a Site Manager.
- Identify content that should be reviewed regularly.
- Establish a website review schedule.
- Recognize common signs that content needs attention.
- Determine when to contact the Web Team for assistance.
Understanding the Site Manager Role
A Site Manager serves as the primary steward of a website.
While responsibilities vary by department, Site Managers typically help ensure content remains accurate, organized, and up to date over time.
Common responsibilities include:
- Reviewing website content regularly
- Updating information when changes occur
- Coordinating with department contacts
- Maintaining navigation and site organization
- Following university branding standards
- Supporting accessibility best practices
- Working with the Web Team when assistance is needed
Successful website management is often less about making frequent updates and more about ensuring information remains accurate over time.
Remember: You do not have to be the expert on every topic on your website. Site Managers often work with faculty, staff, and department leadership to verify information before publishing updates.
Content That Requires Regular Review
Some content changes more frequently than others.
The following areas should be reviewed on a regular basis.
Contact Information
- Names
- Phone numbers
- Email addresses
- Office locations
- Office hours
Outdated contact information can make it difficult for visitors to reach your department.
Faculty and Staff Information
- New hires
- Employee departures
- Position changes
- Leadership updates
- Directory information
Personnel changes are one of the most common causes of outdated content.
Dates and Deadlines
- Event dates
- Registration periods
- Application deadlines
- Scholarship deadlines
- Academic calendar references
Expired information can confuse visitors and reduce confidence in your website.
Documents and Forms
- PDFs
- Handbooks
- Policies
- Downloadable forms
- Resource documents
Review documents regularly to ensure they remain accurate and accessible.
Links and Resources
- Internal links
- External links
- Resource pages
- Quick links
Broken links can prevent visitors from accessing important information.
Establishing a Review Schedule
Creating a regular review schedule can help prevent outdated information from accumulating on your website.
Monthly Reviews
- News articles
- Announcements
- Upcoming events
Keep frequently changing content current.
Semester Reviews
- Student resources
- Program information
- Department contacts
- High-traffic pages
Review information that may change between academic terms.
Annual Reviews
- Website content
- PDFs and downloadable documents
- Navigation and menu structure
- Faculty and staff information
- Department messaging
Conduct a comprehensive review of your website.
Tip: Consider placing recurring review reminders on your calendar at the beginning of each semester.
Working with the Web Team
Many website updates can be completed directly by Site Managers. However, some requests require assistance from the Web Team.
Contact the Web Team for:
- New website requests
- Major navigation changes
- New functionality requests
- Complex forms
- Accessibility concerns
- Branding questions
- Technical issues
- Large-scale content migrations
When assistance is needed, submit a request through ServiceNow.
Remember
- Websites require ongoing maintenance.
- Regular reviews help keep information accurate.
- Small updates performed consistently are easier than large cleanup projects.
- Working with department contacts can help verify information before publishing.
- The Web Team is available when additional assistance is needed.
Before Moving On
Before continuing, make sure you can:
Describe the responsibilities of a Site Manager
Identify content that should be reviewed regularly
Work with department contacts to verify information
Establish a website review schedule
Recognize signs that website content needs attention
Determine when to contact the Web Team for assistance
Next Module: Menus & Site Navigation
Learn how to:
- Add and update menu items
- Organize menu items into clear site structures
- Create and manage dropdown menus
- Use sidebar navigation effectively
- Improve navigation for website visitors
Need Help?
Submit a Website Change Request
Request assistance with website updates, troubleshooting, or issues.
Request Website Access
Need access to edit a website? Submit an access request.
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