The steps below outline the general process for planning and launching a website at Brown. Because each site has its own goals, audiences, and scope, these steps may look slightly different depending on your needs—but they serve as a helpful guide to understanding the overall process.

Are You Ready to Start a Website?

Before starting a website, take time to make sure you’re truly ready to begin. A successful website depends on having a clear understanding of your purpose, audiences, and key messages.

Many people decide they "need a website" before defining the fundamentals: what they want to communicate, who they're trying to reach, and how their work or program is structured. If those pieces aren't clear yet, it may be too early to start building.

Ask yourself questions like:

• What is the primary goal of this website?
• Who are your key audiences, and what do they need from you online?
• What programs, services, or content will this site feature?
• Do you have the time and resources to develop and maintain the site’s content?

Clarifying these points first will save time later, help you make better decisions about structure and design, and ensure that your site communicates effectively from the start.

1. Select a Hosting Platform

A website’s hosting platform helps determine the site’s functionality, features, and long-term maintenance needs. It’s important to make this decision early—before starting design or content work—since each platform supports different types of sites and technical capabilities.

Brown offers several hosting options tailored to different purposes and audiences.

Explore Brown’s Website Hosting Options

Hosting is related to—but distinct from—your site's web address, also called a URL. The hosting platform is where your site's content lives. The URL is the address people type into their browser to reach your site (for example, department.brown.edu). If you need a Brown subdomain, you can request one, following University guidelines for naming and usage.

2. Develop Information Architecture (IA)

Information architecture (IA) defines how your website’s pages are organized and how users navigate between them. It helps visitors find information quickly and understand the relationships between different sections of your site.

View a sample information architecture (Google Doc)

For Brown websites representing an academic or administrative unit, OUC typically assists with IA development. To request support, email web@brown.edu.

3. Develop Content

The individual or group requesting the new site is typically responsible for developing its content—the text, images, and media that tell your story. Strong content is clear, accurate, and visually engaging. Words, photos, and graphics should work together to help users quickly understand who you are and what you offer.

OUC’s Marketing team provides fee-based support for writing, editing, and visual content development.

Start a Content Project with the Marketing Team

4. Design and Build the Site

Once your content is ready, you can begin building your website in the content management system (CMS) that will host it. During this phase, you'll move your content into the CMS and make design choices using the platform's available templates or themes.

OUC can assist with this process for websites representing academic or administrative units of the University. To learn what support may be available for your project, contact web@brown.edu.

5. Submit a Launch Request

Before submitting a website launch request, review the Pre-Launch Checklist to confirm your site aligns with University requirements. Reviewing the checklist in advance helps ensure your site meets standards for accessibility, identity, technology, and overall quality, and can expedite the review and launch process.

Once your site is ready, submit a website launch request to OUC.