cuTheme Ready – Prepare your Site for a Seamless Migration!
Reviewing your website thoroughly before migrating it, lets you start off on the right foot and can make for a smoother transition. It is also beneficial to your current visitors!
Here are four steps to help you prepare your website for migration to cuTheme.
Table of Contents
Step1: Do a Content Audit
- Evaluate the relevance and quality of your content. Remove outdated information.
- Delete old pages and posts. Clear out obsolete news, events, people listings, files, etc.
- Rewrite content for the web to optimize for both Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and accessibility.
- Look for and fix broken links
Resources
- Website Review Training – How to do Content Audit
- Spring Cleaning your Website – not limited to spring 🙂
- Tips for optimizing for SEO and accessibility
Step 2: Ensure your Content is Accessible
- Review your website’s accessibility according to AODA guidelines.
- Ensure that it’s easily navigable for users with disabilities
- Including proper alt text for images
- Use headings and subheadings and use in the correct order (hierarchically)
- This is good practice to ensure a site that is easy to navigate and use for all visitors.
Resources
- Online accessibility training – Learn how to make more accessible text, images, tables and videos
- Web accessibility checklist
- Alt Text
Step 3: Review Your Navigation Menu
The menu in cuTheme is top-of-page only (no side option). You may need to rethink your navigation depending on the length. We recommend reviewing it periodically anyway as things evolve on your site!
Simplify your Navigation
- Streamline your menu items to make navigation intuitive and efficient. Consider categorizing content logically and using sub-items where necessary.
- Limit top-level menu items to (4-7 is what we recommend) This makes it easier to navigate for the user plus ensures it will fit
- Review top-level items. Top-level menu items with subpages won’t act as landing pages in cuTheme. Do you need to rethink your structure?
Resources
- Menu magic – Tips for improving user experience via navigation
- Coming out on top: the new top nav menu in cuTheme
Step 4: Review and Renew Your Homepage
Note: This step is optional for migration but can enhance your site immediately and ensure your homepage is in top shape.
cuTheme will present you with a lot more design options for your homepage. However, content is still Queen! Now is a great time to rethink the most important elements of your homepage. Prep the content now and then style it up in cuTheme.
Have Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs)
- Place a prominent CTA that aligns with your primary goal (e.g., register for a program get to a service, contact your department). Make it stand out without overwhelming the page.
Create a Visual Hierarchy
- Organize content using a clear visual hierarchy. Use headings, images, and white space strategically to guide visitors through the page.
Use Dynamic Elements
- Consider incorporating dynamic elements like videos and news posts, to engage visitors and convey information effectively.
Update Images
- Make sure to refresh images from time to time so they are current. This keeps your homepage from looking stale and dated,
Resources
- Re-organize your homepage – Tips & ideas for renewing your homepage content
- Calls to Action – What they are, examples, and best practices!
- Structure content on your pages – From our Writing for the Web Series, tips making your pages easy to scan
- Video
- Images
- Finding images for your site – the ultimate guide …
- Optimizing your images for SEO and accessibility