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Getting Started

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

Build with Confidence

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.

Not sure where to start? Web writing best practices can help you think through your content and tone before you dive in.

Write for the Web

Content First

Whether you’re migrating or starting fresh, plan your content and structure before you build. A content audit, sitemap, or content matrix will make the building process smoother and your decisions clearer.

Organize Your Content

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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Quick Links