Simple Sites

Learn about Simple Sites, a managed WordPress hosting environment where you can create a basic website or blog with UC San Diego-branded templates that conform to accessibility standards.

Simple Sites is a self-service web hosting option specialized for small sites. 

The web content team within Workplace Technology Services (WTS) has partnered with higher education specialist CampusPress to bring UC San Diego a custom WordPress environment.

Simple Sites is available to UC San Diego faculty and staff with an Active Directory (AD) account.

Students may not request a new Simple Site, but may be added as an editor for an existing site.

Best for

• Simple sites with a small number of pages.
• Blogs (or small sites that will include a blog).
• Labs, research groups, special events (check with your home department/ program/ ORU in case they prefer your web content is part of a larger, pre-existing site).

Not for

• Sites that need a larger number of pages or a deep file structure. These are better served by other website options. Academic Departments, Programs or official ORUs should use a more robust hosting option like the Campus CMS.
• Student organizations.
• Sites not affiliated with UC San Diego.

Benefits

• Free: IT Services funds the service so there is no charge for individual users or websites.
• Open to faculty and staff at UC San Diego: Currently, faculty and staff with a UCSD active directory (AD) can create a website.
• Accessible and branded templates: Templates reflect the UC San Diego brand and have been tested for accessibility compliance.
• Built-in search: Websites have a built-in search so you don’t need to register with Google.
• Supports dynamic content: Embed RSS feeds and plug-ins
• Embed images and video for a multi-media experience
• See additional benefits.

Limitations

• Limited themes: This is a hosted version of WordPress. We only offer themes that are accessible and reflect UC San Diego branding (currently one).
• Limited to WordPress tools: There is no programming or scripting access.
• Limited import access: If you have a website created in another version of WordPress, you may be able to import that site into Simple Sites (this will depend on the template being used). For other existing sites, you’ll need to recreate the site and copy and paste the content.
• All website contributors (authors, editors, etc.) must have a UCSD active directory (AD) login to access the service.
• Limited to installed plugins: All plugins are vetted by CampusPress and the content team at UC San Diego for accessibility and style. You can enable any of these via the Plugins menu in the dashboard.

Supported by

CampusPress

• Vets plugins
• Hosts sites
• Provides technical support:
  • CampusPress Knowledge base
  • CampusPress support ticket

Workplace Technology Services (WTS)
Web Content Team

• Creates initial site
• Sets up initial site access
• Maintains UC San Diego branded themes (currently one)

Example site

• See sites.ucsd.edu for more information and a look at the template. Also see our advanced design features and plugins.

Get started

1. Review sites.ucsd.edu to make sure this is a good fit for your needs
2. Fill out our Simple Sites request form
3. We'll set up the initial site (with some example content to get you started)
4. We'll send you instructions to set up your access