Working+with+the+Web

Many of the units within ACE and IEI have asked about web page design, using other Web 2.0 tools for communication as well as recruitment tools, and about using social networking such as Facebook. We will use this space for discussions about these three key areas.

===[|ACE Website] is located at http://ace.nd.edu. Think of this as your HOME BASE in which all of the other Web 2.0 tools will 'return to' or 'be guided back to' for your content information.===

Until our new communications person is hired, if you are working on designing a subpage (example: ACE Fellowship) within this website and need help, you can do one of two things.

 * 1) Contact Pam Burish - pburish@nd.edu and I will assist you.
 * 2) Use the information provided at [|Conductor CBM/University of Notre Dame]. This site provides a users guide, video tutorials, and FAQ section.

Currently, pages can readily use ASSETS or files such as PDFs, documents, images (jpeg or gif formats). For videos, at the moment, it is best to embed or link a video to your subpage. The reason is that the size of uploaded ASSETS is limited to 10 mb and most videos are larger. You can upload the videos to your netfile space, for example, and then link through a small image on your page or simply copy the link such as from YouTube and embed within your subpage.

Some units within ACE have expressed interest in developing the carousel similar to what is on ND website. I learned this is a maintenance nightmare and unless you want to learn a lot about flash technology, you might consider using small images of the videos and attach a link to video from them.

There is a way, using [|Google Analytics], to monitor the use of your web page.To set up an account, click on 'New to Google Analytics? Sign Up Now.' Enter your name and country and then click Continue. Read and accept the terms of service, and continue. This will take you to the page where your tracking code is set out.

Some units within ACE have asked about how to optimize their 'place' within the Google search tool, for example. There are two ways to do this.


 * 1) Check on 'key word density' and use words that have been proven to be used the most by individuals who search. Example: Is it best to use faith or Catholic or another term to increase 'traffic' to your site? The following resources will help determine that Catholic is the term the majority of people use as they search. Click here first at [|Adwords]. Enter the keyword or phrase, then type in the special letters or characters in blue and the choices with number of times they are 'most requested by users' will appear. There is beginners' guide located at [|SEOmoz.] You can use web sites such as [|Word Density Analysis] to see how many times you are using key words in your website. You can learn more about keywords for websites here.
 * 2) Increase the number of 'inbound links' or have others link to your page to increase traffic and people linking to your page.
 * 3) Google search engine LIKES headings so it is important as to how your subpage is set up.
 * 4) University of Notre Dame contact: Joe Lyphout


 * KEY: Get your information or content out on the web in as many places as possible, i.e., website, Facebook, wiki, blog, YouTube video or TeacherTube video, etc. and always link back to your web page (that page which is static and has the basic information about your program.)

Social Networking
To consider using social networking such as Facebook or LinkedIn, there are several things to consider.
 * 1) What is the purpose for the site? Why are you 'feeding' or adding content to it and what content are you adding that is of interest to your followers? Have a strong design for the page and lots of information/videos/photos of interest to group. Ask yourself, "Why would someone connect to our Facebook page?"
 * 2) Who will be the main audiences? Social media is a great way to communicate with current ACE participants, future ACE participants, and recently graduated ACE participants as most within this age span are on Facebook, for example, at last six times per day. In other words, they interact with this social media frequently.
 * 3) Once you have determined the strategy behind your design and Facebook page, there needs to be an assigned, DEDICATED individual or individuals who will update FREQUENTLY. People need to feel a sense of community, that they are being heard, etc. One needs to do a Facebook page WELL or not at all as people will not return.
 * 4) When considering starting a Facebook, create a FAN PAGE vs. a PERSONAL PAGE as you can link more people to a FAN PAGE.
 * 5) Example of [|U of Notre Dame Facebook] page. Basically, the news information from the webpage is posted here (Remember the KEY above!) Here is an example of LiveSTRONG Facebook page.
 * 6) Example of LinkedIn is one for [|Don Schindler]. May be something to consider for marketing tool.
 * 7) University of Notre Dame contact: Don Schindler