Bad Websites

Army Wife'79 · #1 08-27-2008, 09:07 AM

So many chapters have horribly outdated websites online. Even the large Greek campuses. I have gone to several only to see lists of officers from 2004, or pledge class of '05 and it hasn't been updated since. Perhaps a good question for the actives to ask at rush is "are you familiar with website design"? ha ha. It can't be that hard to find a computer geek can it?

peaches321 · #2 08-27-2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army Wife'79

So many chapters have horribly outdated websites online. Even the large Greek campuses. I have gone to several only to see lists of officers from 2004, or pledge class of '05 and it hasn't been updated since. Perhaps a good question for the actives to ask at rush is "are you familiar with website design"? ha ha. It can't be that hard to find a computer geek can it?

I couldn't agree more! It's funny (and sometimes painful) to see that. The real irony is that many of the websites that need to be updated belong to very strong chapters. In this E-formation age, you'd think that they'd fix this. Even old people like me can do better.

KappaKittyCat · #3 08-27-2008, 09:22 AM

I just checked my old chapter's website to see how they're keeping it up these days. It's not bursting at the seams with info, but at least it's up to date.

*PHEW*

Kansas City · #4 08-27-2008, 09:24 AM

Our problem is that we have a new website that is easy to update but is not yet recognized by the major search engines. I have suggested the site to said engines but I guess it takes a while for them to be recognized. This causes a problem because when people are searching for our chapter, they will be directed to a 2-3 year old "project site" that a member did for a class grade instead of the actual, functioning "official site" of the chapter. We are also having difficulties getting HQ and campus to update their sites with the new link. And yes ... I am no computer geek so any suggestions are appreciated.

33girl · #5 08-27-2008, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peaches321

The real irony is that many of the websites that need to be updated belong to very strong chapters.

I think the thinking there is that they're above needing to publicize themselves with a website.

alum · #6 08-27-2008, 09:48 AM

You think the GLOs' respective HQs would make some sort of template for chapters to use. XO used to do this and I thought it was great. The pages were very distinctive and you immediately knew that this chapter was part of a national org'n. OR perhaps Panhel could do this for all the sororities at a particular school ie the sorority flower on top, the same lists of specific pages (officers, philanthropy, house tour...) on one side. It would be somewhat of an equalizer.

33girl · #7 08-27-2008, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alum

You think the GLOs' respective HQs would make some sort of template for chapters to use. XO used to do this and I thought it was great. The pages were very distinctive and you immediately knew that this chapter was part of a national org'n.

Ehh, I've seen those, and I don't like them at all. The Phi Delts at my school have one, and it's really hard to differentiate what is national content and what is local...if there's any local content at all.

I mean, you know that "this is XYZ, a national GLO" but I think too many chapters don't personalize it enough...they just are lazy and use the bare bones of the template. If I want a national site, I'll go to xyz.org.

I think some Panhels do do this for the groups at their school.

alum · #8 08-27-2008, 10:05 AM

Would chapters that are too lazy to flesh out a provided template also be too lazy to start from scratch?

A friend whose D recently went through recruitment did notice the same thing about the more "popular" GLOs having out-of-date websites. Current websites are important if for nothing else than knowing where to send the refs.

33girl · #9 08-27-2008, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alum

Would chapters that are too lazy to flesh out a provided template also be too lazy to start from scratch?

Yeah, probably, but I'd rather see nothing than regurgitated sameness. That's just my personal opinion though.

And re your second comment - if you are their kind, my dear, you KNOW where to send the refs w/out a website telling you.

Kansas City · #10 08-27-2008, 10:51 AM

I personally like the GLO provided templates PROVIDED that the chapters actually use them to put some unique, genuine and updated information about their specific chapter. Regurgitated national information or outdated chapter information just doesn’t cut it. For smaller chapters, the template approach can be a much easier (doesn't require an advanced computer degree) and cheaper way (GLO pays through a "technology fee") to keep the site up. It also gives nationals control over the "generic" information.

AOII Angel · #11 08-27-2008, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kansas City

Our problem is that we have a new website that is easy to update but is not yet recognized by the major search engines. I have suggested the site to said engines but I guess it takes a while for them to be recognized. This causes a problem because when people are searching for our chapter, they will be directed to a 2-3 year old "project site" that a member did for a class grade instead of the actual, functioning "official site" of the chapter. We are also having difficulties getting HQ and campus to update their sites with the new link. And yes ... I am no computer geek so any suggestions are appreciated.

It took me a long time to get Google to recognize the site I made for the chapter I advise. Get Yahoo to recognize the site and Google will follow. Once someone gave me this advice, the site showed up on Google by the end of the week.

Kansas City · #12 08-27-2008, 10:59 AM

Thanks AOII, I suggested the site to both sometime last week so I guess I'm just waiting ...

AOII Angel · #13 08-27-2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kansas City

Thanks AOII, I suggested the site to both sometime last week so I guess I'm just waiting ...

Have you verified your site with Google? It's a pain in the butt, but they suggest you add a code or page to your site that they can find to verify your site. Go to http://www.google.com/intl/en/submit_content.html and click on "webmaster's tools" to get to the verification process.

agrphi · #14 08-27-2008, 12:10 PM

If you want Google to recognize your new web site address you need to get your url out there. Try to get as many other sites as possible to list your domain. This means you will have to harass the greek life office and your HQ's.

If you know the person who built the class project web site, i would ask them if they can create a redirect on the site so that if anyone finds it, they will be sent to your new site.

AOII Angel · #15 08-27-2008, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agrphi

If you want Google to recognize your new web site address you need to get your url out there. Try to get as many other sites as possible to list your domain. This means you will have to harass the greek life office and your HQ's.

If you know the person who built the class project web site, i would ask them if they can create a redirect on the site so that if anyone finds it, they will be sent to your new site.

I agree that the more your URL is out there, the more likely Google's bot will pick it up. My site, however, is not listed by the greek life office or IHQ. I did a lot of searches for my site and picked it a huge number of times to get it to move up the Google list. Also, make sure that your page has a description imbedded that describes your chapter how people will most likely look for it. I had to change mine to AOII at Towson University since using AOII Theta Beta Chapter made it harder to find on Google.