Web Services

Our shared commitment to building better 51�Թ��websites

joyce.peralta2@mcgill.ca — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 14:12:36 +0000

In the new year, all users of McGill's centrally supported web platforms, Web Management System (WMS) and Virtual Host (VHost) will be required to complete the Web publishers and developers agreement form on an annual basis.

Research site template now available

Heidi Strohl — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 19:00:34 +0000

You can now request a WMS site that’s already set up with the key features and pages research and lab websites need:

See you at the 2025 Web Services year-end presentation!

charly.blais@mcgill.ca — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 19:22:23 +0000

Join us on December 3 for the latest updates and tips about everything web at McGill, from WMS migration news to practical guidance for improving your site.

When: December 3, 2025, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Where: Virtual (via Teams)

Who's invited: Anyone working on a 51�Թ��website

Watch party: Making our digital spaces more accessible

joyce.peralta2@mcgill.ca — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:39:33 +0000

In celebration of the UN’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities in December, McGill's Equity Team and Digital Communications teams are pleased to invite you to an online event featuring a discussion with Lucy Greco, web accessibility expert, advocate, and icon.

Why duplicating content is double the trouble

charly.blais@mcgill.ca — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 15:01:07 +0000

Why not to duplicate content

It's natural to want to make sure your website's audience has everything at their fingertips. If students in your unit might need info about shared resources like 51�Թ��residences, wellness, or studying abroad, why not include that on your site?

The instinct is good, but when the same information gets copied across multiple 51�Թ��websites, it quickly creates problems.

It's all in the details (feature)

charly.blais@mcgill.ca — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 15:44:53 +0000

In the new WMS, the accordion feature has been replaced with an updated version called details.

Both features allow you to hide content by putting it in a collapsible container. This can make text heavy pages less daunting and decrease the need to scroll, allowing users to more easily scan and choose what to read.

Knowing when to use (or avoid) this powerful tool will help you make your content more user-friendly and easier to navigate.

Search me!

matthew.corks@mcgill.ca — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 12:33:04 +0000

The IT Web Services Group is excited to share that we've completed phase one of upgrading McGill's search engine, the backend tool used to power searches from the 51�Թ��homepage, the Course Catalogue, and the search box at the top of all WMS pages!

What's new

We are confident that the new search engine will result in:

Social media buzz in the WMS

joyce.peralta2@mcgill.ca — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 16:12:01 +0000

We’re excited to announce recent and upcoming changes to social media tools in the 51�Թ��Web Management System (WMS), based on your feedback.

What's changing? New icons for Bluesky and Threads

In January 2025, we added Bluesky and Threads to the options for the footer follow block. You can already see these new icons in site footers, making it easier for your audience to connect with you on these emerging social platforms, expanding your reach and engagement.

Accessible images make alt the difference

charly.blais@mcgill.ca — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 15:07:02 +0000

Everyone needs to be able to use 51�Թ��websites, including people with visual impairment. That means every image you use needs a text description—also known as alternative (or alt) text.

Why user data beats assumptions every time

daniel.zhang@mcgill.ca — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 13:25:21 +0000

User data closes that gap between what we think users do and what they actually do. By grounding decisions in data, you protect your work from blind spots, improve the user experience, and make sure your efforts are truly worthwhile.

Many of us support the people who use our sites every day, and we regularly hear feedback from them. Students may struggle to find key information, and faculty may worry their work isn’t easy to discover.