NSM-IT Website Templates

Faculty & Research Websites

Use a flexible platform such as:

Google Sites - NSM-IT Templates

Description:
Google Sites is a web-based platform that allows faculty and staff to create websites for courses, research, projects, or events. Sites can be created as public-facing or internally shared websites and built without coding or development experience.

Best for:

• Faculty personal websites

• Research or lab websites

• Course, project, or event sites

• Quick, easy updates

Why this works well:

• Easy to edit (no coding required)

• Quick to update and maintain

• Compatible with UH branding guidelines

HTML Templates (NSM‑IT)

Description:
NSM‑IT provides basic HTML and Bootstrap templates for faculty who prefer more flexibility or already maintain an HTML-based website.

Best for:

• Faculty who already maintain an HTML site

• More customized layouts and designs

What to know:

• Requires more hands-on editing

• NSM‑IT provides HTML Basic Template and HTML Bootstrap 5 Template 

• You are responsible for updates and hosting

Official UH Websites

UH CMS (Modern Campus)

Description:
The UH CMS (Modern Campus) is the university’s official platform for managing institutional websites. It provides standardized templates, accessibility features, and governance workflows.

Best for:

• Department websites

• Academic programs

• Official UH units and services

What to know:

• Required for many official university websites

• Includes:

  • standardized layouts

  • accessibility and compliance support

  • approval workflows

• Requires:

  • authorization

  • training

  • coordination with Communications

Get Started:

👉 Contact the NSM Communications Office for access
👉 Complete required CMS training

Internal Collaboration Sites

Microsoft SharePoint (NSM‑IT Templates)

Description:
SharePoint is a Microsoft 365 platform for creating internal websites and collaborative workspaces for teams, departments, and projects.

Best for:

• Internal team or department sites

• Lab or project collaboration spaces (private)

• Document storage and sharing

• Workflow and process management

Key Features:

• Secure document storage and sharing

• Integration with Microsoft 365 (Teams, OneDrive, Outlook)

• Permission-based access control

• Version history and document tracking

• Workflow and automation tools

Data Security & Access:

• Hosted within UH Microsoft 365

• Restricted to authorized UH users

• Not publicly accessible by default

Important Note:
SharePoint is not recommended for public-facing websites, as it is designed for internal collaboration.

Get Help:

• Microsoft 365 support resources

1. Choose your platform
   (based on site type above)

2. Request access or template
   Google or Microsoft account may be required

   • Contact NSM‑IT for help

3. Customize your site
   Add pages, content, and resources

4. Optional: Request a review
   NSM‑IT can help check branding and accessibility

📩 Contact: nsmit@central.uh.edu

You do not need to start from scratch.

If you already have a website (HTML, Google Sites, or another platform), you can often improve it with a few targeted updates.

Suggested improvements:

• Add or update UH branding (logos, colors, affiliation)

• Refresh key content (bio, contact information, research, links)

• Simplify navigation and page organization

• Improve accessibility basics (clear headings, image descriptions, readability)

How NSM‑IT can support:

• Provide guidance on recommended templates and platforms

• Share examples and resources to help you update your site

• Help you determine whether to keep your current site or move to a new platform

📩 Get started:  If you have questions, please contact NSM‑IT at nsmit@central.uh.edu and include a link to your site.
Note: NSM‑IT provides guidance and resources; faculty are responsible for updating and maintaining their own website content.

Which platform should I use?

• Faculty or research site → Google Sites or HTML

• Department/program site → CMS (Modern Campus)

• Internal team site →  Microsoft SharePoint

Do all websites have to be in the CMS?

No. UH supports multiple platforms, but all sites should follow branding and accessibility guidelines.

Do I need training?

• Google Sites → No formal training required

• CMS (Modern Campus) → Training required before access

• Microsoft SharePoint→ Basic familiarity with Microsoft 365 recommended

Can NSM‑IT build my website?

NSM‑IT provides:

• Templates

• Guidance

• Review support

Faculty are responsible for maintaining their site content.