Information for your WordPress website in the WDS theme and block editor.
Information specific to WordPress sites converting to the WDS theme and block editor has additional information noted.
Setting up your WordPress website for WDS
Enabled Plugins
These plugins are activated by default.
- Breadcrumbs NavXT: Although activated, choose whether to use the breadcrumbs. You can set whether to use breadcrumbs in Customize under WDS Templates.
- WP Document Revisions: Standard plugin enabled, if not already enabled.
- WSUWP Gutenberg Accessibility: The plugin adds an accessibility and usability checker panel.
- WSUWP Plugin | Duplicate Post: Duplicate webpages and posts
Other plugins available
Use plugins with caution. Don’t go plugin crazy and activate them all. See the list of available plugins and their purpose. We’ve included restricted, special-use case, and deprecated plugins for reference.
CSS & JavaScript
Please be aware of accessibility requirements when adding custom styles and JavaScript.
If there were custom CSS and JavaScript, they were cleared. Many of the reasons for needing custom CSS or JavaScript have been eliminated with the WDS theme. You can copy it from your live website if it is still needed.
Working on Your Website
Block Editor & WDS Theme
Learn more about WordPress with our Get Started in WordPress information. When moving from the Spine theme to the Web Design System, be sure to clear formatting and convert to blocks.
Converting WordPress website to WDS: Clear Formatting and Converting Blocks
Clear Formatting on Classic Block
Clear the formatting on the content in the Classic blocks. This will remove any excess styling or styling that is no longer on brand.
Select all the text and then select the clear formatting icon.
Toggle Toolbar: Are you missing the second row of the Classic block editor? Select the Toggle Toolbar to reveal the second row. The Toggle Toolbar is towards the end of the first row of editing icons.
Converting to Blocks
You’ll want to convert the Classic block into blocks. Select the Classic block bar above your text to pop up the toolbar. Then, select Convert to block from the toolbar. This will convert your content into blocks. You may need to make additional changes to these blocks, but the Convert to Block will do most of the work, if not all.
Search for Classic Blocks: You can find pages with the Classic block by searching for wp:freeform using the search bar on Posts or Pages.
Log In
Add /wp-admin to the end of your site’s homepage URL to log in to WordPress.
To save you time, bookmark your website’s dashboard. This will redirect you to the correct login page, [website URL]/wp-admin.
Note: Do not bookmark the login page, as the website URL might change if we experience malicious site traffic.
Add Users to Your Website
The Super Admin can add and remove users while skipping the confirmation email and add new users not on the website’s network. Please have new users submit a web support ticket to request editing access for the website. In the request, new users can select their User and Accessibility Role and acknowledge their responsibility for creating accessible content.
Digital Accessibility
Please complete the required Digital Accessibility Assessment to ensure your content meets accessibility requirements.
All web developers, content publishers, editors, domain owners, and anyone else involved in updating WSU web content must take the digital accessibility assessment.
Important: The assessment is required and must be completed annually per university policy.
Reference Documents
- University Policies and Procedures Manual 10.45: Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) Accessibility (formerly Executive Policy #7 and Business Policies and Procedures Manual 85.55)
Brand
The brand website offers additional information about brand guidelines. Please review the Web and Digital information and the guidance section.
Get Help with Your Website
If you get to a point where you are stuck, we have our WSU Web Slack community. Our web community on Slack can provide help. Or join our Open Lab on Fridays, where you can ask questions. A final option is to submit a web support ticket for help.
- WSU Web Slack community
- Open Lab Sessions (Fridays from 9:30am to 11:00am)
- Web Support Ticket
Ready to Launch Your Website?
Accessibility Requirements
Web Communication will not launch a website with errors and no data in the accessibility column from the Accessibility and Usability panel for published, password-protected, & private pages with authenticated viewers.
Pre-launch Checklists
Use these checklists to ensure your website is ready for launch and you’ve created a valuable and useful website.
Launch Your Website
Read the final information and important details before submitting your website for launch.