Your path to a Yale-branded, accessible, and easy-to-manage website starts here.

Whether you’re new to YaleSites or rebuilding an existing site, content planning comes first. Our platform is designed to help you launch with ease. Benefit from built-in accessibility, Yale branding, and a user-friendly layout builder—no coding required. Follow the steps below to get started.

Overview

Step 0: Writing for the Web

Step 1: Request a Site

Step 2: Learn the Platform

Step 3: Start Building Your Site

Step 4: Request to Go Live

Step 5: Manage Your Live Site

Step 1: Request Your Development Environment

Explore or begin building in a private space.

Start by requesting a development site. You can use it to get hands-on experience with the platform or begin building a new site. Your dev site is private—only accessible with the direct URL—and gives you a space to experiment, plan, and prepare before going live.

Request a Site
request-site-illustration

Step 2: Learn the Platform

Get comfortable before you build.

Take advantage of our YaleSites trainings and Resource Library to understand the tools, workflows, and best practices. Whether you prefer guided sessions or self-paced learning, we offer support to help you feel confident.

Join Our Training Reference Our Resource Library
learn-illustration

Step 3: Start Building Your Site

Now that you have a development site and have learned the platform, you’re ready to start building. The Layout Builder makes it easy to structure your content and customize your pages.

Working from a legacy site?

If you have an existing site on Drupal 7, we’ve got you covered with helpful tips for rebuilding.
Learn about migrating a legacy site

Need help while building?

Reach out to our team with questions or stop by virtual office hours for live support.

Contact Us Attend Our Office Hours
building site illustration

Step 4: Request to Go Live

Ready to launch? We’ll help you move from dev to public.

Once your site is complete and reviewed, submit a request to make it live. We’ll ensure everything meets accessibility and Yale branding standards before publishing your site to the world.

Go-Live Request
go-live illustration

Step 5: Manage and Improve Your Site

Keep your content current and gain insights with site analytics.

Once your site is live, the work doesn’t stop—regular updates help keep your content accurate, engaging, and aligned with your audience’s needs. Use tools like Siteimprove to monitor performance, track accessibility, and make data-informed decisions that improve your site over time.

Get Started with SiteImprove
illustration of magnifying glass of documents

Quick Links