The Office of Communications and Marketing has developed website builder within Cascade CMS to streamline the look and functionality of Auburn University webpages. The mix-and-match set of modules ensures consistency in branding, user experience and accessibility while providing a flexible framework for managing web content.

  • Consistency and User Experience: Ensure that all new and redesigned websites maintain a cohesive appearance and user-centric design that aligns with the organization’s overall branding guidelines.
  • Scalability: Offer a flexible design that can grow with the needs of each department, whether for new programs, events or other updates.
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Support SEO best practices, ensuring higher visibility and discoverability of department pages.
  • Compliance: Adhere to web accessibility standards and data privacy regulations.

To request assistance with site creation, redesign or update, please fill out a project request form.

Layout Examples

The modules allow for many different layouts, but there are several prebuilt examples to show the possibilities and what modules work well for different types of pages.
Example Homepage
Example Landing Page
Example Interior Page
Explore Modules and Headers
Module Options Header Options

Getting Started

  • Determine the purpose and your audience; conduct research if needed.
  • Determine information architecture. Group content into primary categories or sections that align with the needs of both the user and the department.
  • Trim copy, making it purposeful, clear and concise.
  • Gather images from the Photo Services library or other source, or plan for new photography or video.

If you are creating a new site or need access to an existing site to create a new section or page, contact John Walker to setup the new site in Cascade. He will confirm the details with OIT. 

  • Log into cascade.auburn.edu with your Auburn credentials
  • Find your site under "My Sites"

 

Building Your Site

Though images can be uplaoded at any time, the buiding process is smoother if you begin by uploading any images to Cascade that you plan to use for your site. 

  • Navigate to the "assets>images" folder
  • "Add Content" and choose "File."
  • When uploading, use lowercase file names with no spaces (dashes are fine).
  • Publish image.

Tips:

  • Recommended size for most modules: Rectangle 1280x720px, Square 600 x 600
  • Keep files under 150KB to avoid slow load times.
  • Use the Squoosh app (https://squoosh.app) to resize and compress images efficiently.

  • Navigate to the folder where the page will be located
  • Choose "Add Content" at the top of the page and choose "Blank Modular Page" or one of the page templates. The templates are still fully customizable, but serve as a good starting place.  

Please note: Each section of your site should have a folder. Each folder should contain an "index" page.

  • Page Properties: Click "yes" in advanced settings to see Page Properties. Choose navigation, breadcrumbs and footer options. 
  • Navigation and footer: Add and customize in the "includes" folder

Guidelines for colleges:

    • Main navigation: About, Academics, Research and two optional. We encourage some version of Extension/Outreach/Engagement as one of the options.
    • Dropdown: Choose up to eight menu items for each (prefer 4-6).
    • Audience-specific: All audience-specific pages are customizable, but if the college doesn’t have a page for an audience, it’ll point back to the university-level page by default.
    • Quick links: Include college logo. Links are customizable, and colleges can have up to 12.
    • Footer: Resources to the far right are university-wide, but the left side is customizable.

  • Headers: There are a number of different header options for each type of page: college or unit homepages, department/subject pages, marketing, interior and information.
  • Add Content: Content is added in rows, and each row is a module. Choose from a number of different content modules — many with different color and layout options.
  • Each page can include up to seven modules, but many modules allow for several items within the module.

  1. Preview: View draft before submitting; visible only to you.
  2. Drafts: Auto-saved versions; recoverable if accidentally closed.
  3. Submit: Saves changes in Cascade but doesn’t publish them.
  4. Publish: Pushes changes to the live website.
Need additional support?

We're available to help with new sites, redesigns, additional pages or migrations. Submit a project request here.

Web Guidelines
Review Best Practices