General Questions
How do I know if Simple Sites will work for me?
Simple Sites has many features, but also has limitations. Please read Is Simple Sites Right for Me? to find out if the service will meet your needs.
How do I create a site?
Fill out the form on our Setting Up a New Site page. We will start the process and contact you when your initial site configuration is ready.
What software is used for Simple Sites?
We are using WordPress, which is an open-source web content management system for simple sites and blogs.
What level of anonymity and privacy can I expect?
Simple Sites uses Active Directory (AD/email) usernames so your real name is associated with your site or blog. The very nature of blogging is sharing information with the world. When you publish an entry on your Simple Sites website, you are essentially posting on a public website. Anyone who knows the address of your website can see it and share the link with others.
If you want to publish content and keep your identity private, consider a commercial service like Blogger, LiveJournal or WordPress.com.
That being said, if you would like to create private posts, there is an option within WordPress to create “private” posts that require a password. You may also block search engines from finding your blog. You can change the privacy settings under Settings > Reading.
What is the difference between Simple Sites and a self-hosted WordPress site?
UCI Sites, which also uses CampusPress has created a comparison table to help explain the differences.
Is there any cost to using Simple Sites?
IT Services covers all of the costs to use this shared service. There is no cost to individual users.
Can we use Simple Sites for larger sites?
There is no limit on the size of websites hosted through Simple Sites, but you may find working with a large number of pages more difficult. However, official campus and School of Medicine departments and programs qualify for the full-service campus CMS which is better optimized for larger sites.
How can I get help with my website?
We use managed hosting with CampusPress. They offer technical support 24/7. If you have questions about the service or our policies, contact the Simple Sites team.
Themes and Plugins
How can I install a new plugin on my site?
You cannot install plugins on Simple Sites.
Simple Sites is a managed WordPress hosting service. All of the plugins and themes have been chosen for security and stability for use in higher education by our vendor CampusPress. Each plugin has gone through strict code review to make sure it will ensure a stable and secure system.
If there is functionality that you need, contact CampusPress who will try to find a solution within their existing suite of plugins. Let them know what you are trying to do with the plugin. There is often a way to achieve what you need with what is already available.
It can take being a little more creative, but the benefits far outweigh the risks of having your website crash or be hacked due to poorly written or insecure plugins.
How do I choose a new theme?
Simple Sites is offering one theme that is accessible and provides UC San Diego branding.
Can I edit the theme or get a new one installed?
You cannot edit existing themes or install new ones.
Simple Sites is a managed WordPress hosting service. Our vendor, CampusPress, has chosen and vetted all of the plugins and themes security, stability, and accessibility. The default theme has gone through strict code review to meet all of these requirements.
I would like to create a custom theme for unit or department. Can I get this installed on Simple Sites?
This is outside of the scope of what we offer with managed hosting on Simple Sites. All of the themes installed on Simple Sites must go through a strict code review from our web host vendor, CampusPress. Furthermore, they must meet our branding and accessibility requirements.
Managing my Site
What is my username and password?
You will use your Active Directory (AD) username and password to log in. Usually, this is the first part of your email address before the @ sign.
What happens to my site after I leave UC San Diego?
After you are no longer an active employee, you will not be able to log in to edit your site. We recommend exporting the site’s content to another service like WordPress.com. They offer robust WordPress hosting and have plans for personal to business use. If you can no longer log in to your site because you left UC San Diego, contact us and we can export the site for you.
How do I add users to my site? Do they need a UC San Diego account?
All users must have an Active Directory (AD) account to be added to your website.
- If you are an administrator of a site, you can add anyone with a UCSD AD account and assign them a role.
- Learn how to add or invite new users to your site.
How do I get access to a website to make edits?
Any person with the administrator role on the website can add you as a new user. If you do not know who the administrators are, contact the Simple Sites team. Our network administrators can look this up for you. They can also add you but will need permission from an existing administrator to make sure you should be granted access.
Can I delete my website if I no longer need it?
If you have created a site and no longer want it, you can delete it at any time. We have instructions to help you. Before you delete it, make sure to export the content if you want to preserve your work.
Do Simple Sites ever expire?
We do monitor sites for change activity. If your website has not been updated in more than 2 years, it may be archived. We will try to contact the administrator of the site to ask if the site is still being maintained. If we do not hear back or the site is not updated, we may archive the site. We will keep the site in an archived state. We can reinstate it upon request.
Your access to editing the site is provided by your AD credentials. While you are a current student or active employee, you should have access to your site. However, after that time, you will no longer be able to log in to make changes. We can export your site’s content upon request.