Last updated on July 9, 2024
In this section, you will find information related to DoIT services available for building websites and web applications on campus.
Web publishing options
DoIT offers a wide range of services that provide campus with different ways to publish information on the web.
WiscWeb WordPress service
WiscWeb is UW—Madison’s enterprise WordPress service that uses the UW Theme for building sites to meet the required minimum web standards, and to create a more equitable and user friendly digital campus. The service is free of charge and available to the campus community, but does not include sites for personal use like a personal blog, portfolio, class website, etc.
Recommended by University Marketing
University Marketing recommends using WiscWeb for most university websites because:
- The UW Theme is kept up to date with UW Brand and web accessibility standards
- Regular testing is done to ensure the UW Theme is compatible with the latest version of WordPress to minimize security risks
- Any issues with the UW Theme or hosting environment are fixed as quickly as possible
Examples of WiscWeb sites
- integratedata.wisc.edu
- ischool.wisc.edu
- students.wisc.edu
- businessservices.wisc.edu
- dance.wisc.edu
- mdi.wisc.edu/curriculum
DoIT Web Hosting
DoIT Web Hosting is a general, flexible hosting service for more complex web applications and websites that require custom design and do not fit within the scope of WiscWeb. This service ranges from free to paid options, and is available to the UW—Madison community and university affiliates (i.e. web consultants). Web Hosting cannot be used to host sites that are more personal in nature.
View the pricing section at the bottom of the Web Hosting service page.
WiscWeb vs DoIT Web Hosting
WiscWeb
- Free to use
- Great for those new to website development
- Specifically for WordPress and must use the WicWeb approved UW Theme and plugins
- WiscWeb manages WordPress core, UW Theme, and plugin updates
- Limited styling customizations available at additional cost
- Monthly lunch/learns, trainings, best practice guidance, and 1×1 support
- Users can submit and vote on feature requests for WiscWeb and UW Theme
- No backend server access
- Available to UW—Madison community
- Does not allow personal or individual sites
Web Hosting
- Free to paid hosting options — static sites and redirect services are free
- Requires programming skills or the ability to hire people who do
- Supports popular open source CMS frameworks (WordPress, Drupal, Moodle, Magento, etc.)
- Web Hosting does not manage WordPress core, UW Theme, and plugin updates
- Design, development, and site maintenance is self-managed by site owner
- Backend server access via Plesk Web Control Panel, Secure FTP, file-share, GIT, WebDeploy, etc.
- Available to UW—Madison community and university affiliates (i.e web consultants, etc).
- Does not allow personal or individual sites
UW KnowledgeBase
The KnowledgeBase (KB) is UW—Madison’s campus service for creating, organizing, and sharing technology and support documentation online. This service is available free of charge for the UW—Madison community. For non UW—Madison schools or external universities, the KB can be used for a low yearly cost.
Personal websites
Google sites is free and available through UW—Madison’s Google Workspace, a collection of Google’s cloud-based productivity and collaborative tools. We recommend Google sites for more personal and internal use like showcasing personal accomplishments, data, publications, even if that content is tied to the University in some way.
Custom development options
You can hire a team of DoIT specialists to build applications needed to support your unit’s administrative processes or teaching, research, and learning efforts.
Teaching & Research Application Development (TRAD)
The TRAD team specializes in innovative software solutions that support the teaching, learning, and research ideas of campus instructors, researchers, and staff. From mobile apps, web applications, data visualizations, and research dashboards, TRAD is a team of highly-skilled developers. Learn more about TRAD’s work.
Web & Mobile Solutions (WaMS)
WaMS specializes in building custom Microsoft .NET applications for improving campus business and administrative processes. This team works on a wide variety projects, some of which include payment processing, document and image storage, displaying live usage hours for UW’s fitness centers, and even explorations in mixed reality with HoloLens technology. WaMS also assists people in reaching the best technical solution, even if that means recommending a different service. Submit a request for web development services to connect with WaMS.
Need help?
If you’re not sure what you need or want to learn more, tell us about your project and we’ll help connect you with the right group.
Request web development services
UX, design, and accessibility
The Center for User Experience partners with colleagues across campus to provide training and consultation on user research, accessibility, and design strategy.
Learn more about the Center for UX
Available to
- Administrators
- Departments
- Faculty
- Instructors
- IT staff
- Researchers
- Staff