ISU Sites is Iowa State University's streamlined website creation platform that enables faculty to build professional websites in minutes without any coding knowledge.
The platform provides a suite of content editing tools, responsive mobile-friendly design, and built-in accessibility features, all while being maintained by a dedicated support team that handles security updates, accessibility improvements, and technical infrastructure.
With its clean, fast-loading design and focus on digital accessibility best practices, ISU Sites empowers faculty to create professional web presences that work seamlessly across all devices and serve users of all abilities.
Manageable
ISU Sites lets you build a professional personal website in minutes. It's as easy as ...
- Log in to sites.iastate.edu
- Choose the type of website you need, accept the terms and conditions, and hit the button.
- Zoom! In a few minutes, you will receive an email at your ISU email address with a link to log in to your new site.
Fill out your information and you're ready to go.
Editing Your Content
A full suite of content editing tools are built in so you can create your content beautifully without having to code. Add pictures, embed video, attach files, create buttons, links, and tables with the Editor Toolbar.
You create your content, we handle the rest
Security updates, accessibility improvements, and new features are under constant oversight by a dedicated team of your colleagues. A detailed help site includes walkthroughs for all ISU Sites features, and the team at websupport@iastate.edu is standing by, ready to answer your questions.
Responsive
More than 50% of website traffic comes from mobile devices, and users expect professional websites to be clean, quick, and easy to read on their phones and tablets.
Clean design
ISU Sites is designed to be compact, tidy, and logical.
Accessible
ISU Sites are "born accessible," meaning they have been designed from the ground up to meet digital accessibility standards so that all users, regardless of their level of accessibility need, can access online information.
ISU Sites is built to conform with Section 508 Information and Communication Technology Accessibility Standards and legal accessibility guidelines (WCAG 2.1 AA). Here are a few examples:
Navigation
Navigation is tested to be intuitive. The menu structure is clear and concise, and links are easy to browse with a mouse, keyboard, or screen reader.
Design
Legible typography, clear color contrast, easy-to-use forms, clean user interfaces, and responsive tables are web design best practices that create a clear and consistent user experience for both site visitors and content creators.
Learn more about the theme design provided by the ISU Theme Team.
Fast and Clean
ISU Sites is built with quick, clean code, ensuring speedy load times even on slower connections. Optimized images, cached pages, and efficient backend architecture keep your site secure, sturdy, and available to a growing number of users.
Tools for you
Everyone can contribute to digital accessibility. It's a key part of making the internet better for all, so ISU Sites provides site owners the tools they need to create accessible content.
- Empowered content-editing: It's easy to create headings, buttons, tables, and properly annotated images.
- Ongoing training: Schedule one-on-one or group website editing training with our team.
- Optimize and strategize: Learn how to elevate your website's impact with smart growth strategies and maintenance practices through the ever-expanding CALS/LAS Web Team blogs, or request a meeting with our content strategist.
Learn More
Do you have more questions about digital accessibility? Visit ISU's Digital Accessibility website for videos, tutorials, and more detailed information on creating and maintaining accessible content.