Web Services top stories of 2023

Over the past year many of us took a good hard look at the health of our websites and web content. We focused our efforts on improving site usability and optimization.

What we worked on in 2023

• Removed excess/out of date content and moved WMS web forms to MS forms
• Ensured web content is well-formatted and aligned with audience requirements
  • Including making sure our websites are inclusive and accessible to all

Our community by the numbers

Our top stories by theme

1. WMS platform updates

   • Video and resources: Web Services' 2023 year-end presentation - including a list of sites migrated as of December 2023
   • From Webforms to MS Forms: A Practical Guide for WMS Migration 
   • First Drupal 9 websites launch
   • Desperately Seeking CKEditor 5 
   • New kid on the block: blocks in Drupal 9 

   • I can see clearly now. The Claro theme in Drupal 9
      

2. The big clean

   • Make a clean sweep! How to archive old, outdated content
   • Seeing is believing: a visual approach to content audits
   • Maximizing website excellence through digital minimalism
   • Launch of the revamped Principal's website
      

3. EDI: Best practices for websites

   • Web Services EDI best practices for websites info session, February 2023
   • Web Services EDI best practices for websites event, September 2023, part of Indigenous Awareness Weeks

   • EDI best practices for websites - Writing style guides

   • Take action! Promoting equity, diversity & inclusion best practices for websites, #PSEWeb 2023
      

4. Accessibility

   • Make sites accessible and inclusive - revised in 2023
   • Watch your language! Use plain language to create better websites
   • What’s up doc? Creating accessible documents for your website 
      

5. #PSEWeb 2023

   • Watch video and access resources from #PSEWeb 2023
   • Our favourite sessions at #PSEWeb 2023: From persona to publish: How to turn your audience insights into more personalised and compelling content by Dana Rock
   • Our favourite sessions at #PSEWeb 2023: Artificial Intelligence: Embracing Opportunities, Responsibly, by Frincy Clement

What we're looking forward to in 2024

• WMS platform updates continued

  • Video and resources: Web Services' 2023 year-end presentation
  • Refinements to the appearance of Drupal 9
  • Updated navigation menu options
  • Wider desktop layouts and better scaling for mobile 

• Improving the student journey across digital platforms

  • Maintaining user focus
  • Identifying areas for improvement
  • Creating strategic alignment

  • Mapping the digital journey of our current students
     

• Evolving our web governance framework to ensure long-term sustainability

  • Web governance at McGill
  • McGill's digital standards