The content management system (CMS), T4 Site Manager, is available for Imperial-branded websites. For more information, visit the Site Manager CMS web pages.
If a T4 website does not meet your requirements you can request an ICT hosting service. Please see our guidance on when this might be appropriate. Our web hosting service offers high-availability hosting free of charge, allowing users to set up either a WordPress site or a custom website.
Before you request a website, please be aware that you must have the technical ability to develop it yourself or have employed an external supplier to do so. A list of recommended suppliers is available on request.
Alternatively, a blog might suit your needs, if you are looking for a simpler solution to share your writing, images, and videos.
Points with an asterisk (*) require you to read the compliance notes found at the bottom of the page.
Website tabs
What we offer:
- A standard WordPress installation of the latest version, with selected plugins pre-installed.
- A load-balanced, highly available web service.
- Daily back up of content.
- Automatically updated system patching of the web server and any underlying technologies.
- Advice and support with site hosting.
You'll be responsible for:
- Development of the WordPress customisation (e.g. themes, plugins) and website content.
- Adhering to relevant data protection, cookie consent and digital accessibility legislation.*
- Ongoing maintenance of the WordPress website.
- Notifying ICT if you leave Imperial so that the website can be decommissioned or transferred to another user.
- Maintaining the Wordpress console accounts within your site and ensuring passwords are changed regularly.
Additionally, you won't get direct access to the underlying file system/database.
If you want to manually update plugins or other site elements, you'll need to request this from ICT. Permissions will be temporarily granted for 24 hours.
If you do not want to use WordPress, you may want to create your own custom website.
What we offer:
- An isolated space for content, accessible via Samba or SFTP.
- Load-balanced, highly available web service.
- A database and user(s).
- Daily back up of content and database.
- Auto-renewed digital certificate for the domain name and any aliases.
- Automatically updated system patching of the web server and underlying technologies.
- Advice on general questions.
You'll be responsible for:
- Adhering to relevant data protection, cookie consent, and digital accessibility legislation.*
- Your website content.
- Ongoing maintenance of the website.
- Notifying ICT if you leave Imperial so that the website can be decommissioned or transferred to another user.
Supported technologies
Node.JS, Python, .Net, .Net Core, PHP
Additional notes
- Dedicated certificates can be purchased additionally, upon request.
- Fixes of up to two hours' work will be provided upon request. ICT reserves the right to charge for additional work beyond two hours.
- Additional setup assistance can be provided upon request but will be subject to a cost.
- When creating websites and content, your website must meet the latest WCAG Accessible Content Guidance and legislation - visit our accessible content guidance web page for further information.
To discuss your web hosting requirements further please complete this ASK form.
Additional requirements
- Dedicated certificates can be purchased additionally, upon request.
- Fixes of up to two hours' work will be provided upon request. ICT reserves the right to charge for additional work beyond two hours.
- Additional setup assistance can be provided upon request but will be subject to a cost.
To discuss your web hosting requirements further please complete this ASK form.
WordPress blogs
Imperial provides branded blogs for staff and students. Imperial blogs can cover anything related to student and staff life. A WordPress blog provides a simple way to publish your own writing, images, and videos.
Find out about and request Imperial WordPress blogs by visiting the WebGuide blog web pages.
*Compliance notes
If you are developing or manage a website as part of your work at Imperial, there are some key pieces of legislation that must be followed.
These pieces of legislation cover accessibility (making websites accessible and usable for everyone) and data protection, making sure that we look after user data.
There are large reputational, financial and other risks involved with Imperial not complying with these regulations.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and cookie consent
Imperial websites need to be compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR). Data protection is about ensuring people can trust you to use their data fairly and responsibly.
This includes having an up-to-date privacy policy for your site, covering data collection and management. Also, if your website is setting any cookies (performance, advertising, analytical, etc) then you MUST seek permission from your visitors to set them. You also need to list and explain what each cookie is, what it’s doing, and why.
Furthermore, if your website will be collecting (directly or indirectly) or publishing personal data then it must be registered within the College’s Data Asset Registration Tool - DART.
Who can help?
Your Faculty Web Officer can offer advice on tools, but you are responsible for making sure your website is compliant.
Accessibility regulations
As you may be aware public sector bodies, are legally required to meet website accessibility standards. We have provided guidance on what you need to do to meet accessibility standards for your site.
You will need to ensure your website meets the new regulations and there are several things you need to do.
- Check your website meets the standard, there are useful tools available.
- Develop a plan to fix any highlighted issues across your site
- You must add a web accessibility statement to your site.
Who can help?
If you have any further questions and need more information on the new accessibility regulations, please contact [email protected].