Bad Websites

[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So many chapters have horribly outdated websites online.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?

[peaches321]

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So many chapters have horribly outdated websites online.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.

[33girl]

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.

[breathesgelatin]

Originally Posted by 33girl

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

I think this is an extremely accurate statement about many "top tier" chapters - they feel like having a website is almost "selling out" or something.

Another major issue with websites is that there is a lot of turnover in collegiate chapters. You might have a good website officer for two or even three or four years, but when she graduates, there's no guarantee that it will be kept up.

W&L has some kind of standardized system that all the sororities are using there... I don't know if it's GIN or not. I like it because I've been able to sign up for chapter email alum updates.

[agrphi]

Originally Posted by breathesgelatin

I think this is an extremely accurate statement about many "top tier" chapters - they feel like having a website is almost "selling out" or something.

Another major issue with websites is that there is a lot of turnover in collegiate chapters. You might have a good website officer for two or even three or four years, but when she graduates, there's no guarantee that it will be kept up.

W&L has some kind of standardized system that all the sororities are using there... I don't know if it's GIN or not. I like it because I've been able to sign up for chapter email alum updates.

W&L is using Chapter Communications
http://www.wlupanhel.com/index.php

[KappaKittyCat]

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]

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.

[AOII Angel]

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.

[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. 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]

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.

[amanda6035]

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. 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.

GIN SYSTEM! Check out the link in my signature.

Plus, the way it's designed, the chapters have serveral different layouts they can choose from, and they can switch it up as often or as little as they want. They can add pages, and take away pages (except for the national history and general insignia stuff. AXiD just implemented this over the summer, and some chapters are still using their own websites, but FHQ provided one to every single chapter to use, if they wanted it. The website is just frosting though - the real reason behind GIN system is it's a communication portal - announcements, calendar, wuot text message reminders (if you sign up for them), sign up to buy t-shirts, stuff like that. It's a REALLY cool system. I didn't think I would like it, because I'm not a fan of the cookie cutter websites (like Chapter Communications - no offense, but I couldnt stand the way theirs was set up).

I think Phi Mu and ADPi are also using GIN....I could be mistaken though....

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by amanda6035

GIN SYSTEM! Check out the link in my signature.

Plus, the way it's designed, the chapters have serveral different layouts they can choose from, and they can switch it up as often or as little as they want. They can add pages, and take away pages (except for the national history and general insignia stuff. AXiD just implemented this over the summer, and some chapters are still using their own websites, but FHQ provided one to every single chapter to use, if they wanted it. The website is just frosting though - the real reason behind GIN system is it's a communication portal - announcements, calendar, wuot text message reminders (if you sign up for them), sign up to buy t-shirts, stuff like that. It's a REALLY cool system. I didn't think I would like it, because I'm not a fan of the cookie cutter websites (like Chapter Communications - no offense, but I couldnt stand the way theirs was set up).

I think Phi Mu and ADPi are also using GIN....I could be mistaken though....

I've noticed the change in AXiD...the sites are really nice and professional in appearance. Hopefully each chapter will take the time to personalize the site for their own chapter.

AOII chose to use a different approach. All chapters MUST have a working website by September that includes items outlined by IHQ. They provide a template if needed, but chapters can have personalized websites as long as all of the required information is included. My site is up to standards. Many still are not but will hopefully meet the September deadline. I'm glad (I)HQs are showing an interest in this since it is such a great PR and recruitment tool!

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by amanda6035

GIN SYSTEM! Check out the link in my signature.

Plus, the way it's designed, the chapters have serveral different layouts they can choose from, and they can switch it up as often or as little as they want. They can add pages, and take away pages (except for the national history and general insignia stuff. AXiD just implemented this over the summer, and some chapters are still using their own websites, but FHQ provided one to every single chapter to use, if they wanted it. The website is just frosting though - the real reason behind GIN system is it's a communication portal - announcements, calendar, wuot text message reminders (if you sign up for them), sign up to buy t-shirts, stuff like that. It's a REALLY cool system. I didn't think I would like it, because I'm not a fan of the cookie cutter websites (like Chapter Communications - no offense, but I couldnt stand the way theirs was set up).

I think Phi Mu and ADPi are also using GIN....I could be mistaken though....

Please don't think I am trying to attack you or the GIN system (if nothing else, I like that it sounds like liquor ....

But...

When I looked at 5-7 GIN sites, they looked just as "cookie cutter" as Chapter Communications sites.... and to me, that's not really saying a lot.

Both are content management systems which provide a lot of different templates you can use. I never knew about GIN before today, but more power to them.

I just don't see the significant non-cookie cutterness that you're describing.

(Like for example, all CC websites have the left hand navigation, and all the GIN sites I saw have the up-top navigation.)

[AGDee]

My collegiate chapters do ok with getting websites up but I'm starting to get requests for help from the alumnae chapters. These are older women who know they need an internet presence but haven't grown up designing things. I'm trying to hook them up with collegians to assist them. We always have the alumnae helping the collegians. This is an opportunity for the collegians to help the alumnae for a change! I'm hoping they begin to develop some stronger relationships as a result.

[Buttonz]

Originally Posted by AGDee

My collegiate chapters do ok with getting websites up but I'm starting to get requests for help from the alumnae chapters. These are older women who know they need an internet presence but haven't grown up designing things. I'm trying to hook them up with collegians to assist them. We always have the alumnae helping the collegians. This is an opportunity for the collegians to help the alumnae for a change! I'm hoping they begin to develop some stronger relationships as a result.

I love this idea! hopefully it brings about more sisters staying active past graduation