Joomla was chosen as our primary CMS (Content Management System) to allow users of all skill ranges and talents access to a platform to develop their UAB web presence. The platform and standard template are managed by the Marketing & Communications Web team to control the styling and branding of all UAB Joomla sites and to maintain a consistent look.
Joomla requires limited technical skill to manage and includes an easy-to-use editor. However, basic HTML knowledge is strongly encouraged. The site's owner/administrator — designated in the original site request or later by the requestor — can give others access to contribute content.
Training
Joomla Video Tutorials
The Web team maintains a YouTube channel with videos that address issues or ideas we receive from users. General support requests are answered by completing the Web Support Form.
Explore the Joomla4 Training Series for instructional videos covering a wide range of topics to familiarize yourself with the new Joomla4 updates.
Access Joomla4 Training Series
Joomla Manual
LinkedIn Learning
UAB faculty and staff also have full access to LinkedIn Learning, which offers a broad range of training topics.
Support (Central vs. Fee-for-Service)
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Central Web Support
University Relations' Web Operations team serves as the main support area for all UAB websites hosted on UAB’s official Content Management System, Joomla. This support includes:
- Creation of a basic UAB-branded website upon request. You or your team will be responsible for adding content, building out menu structure, and implementing other customizations.
- Hosting including daily site backup, security scans, server maintenance, site recovery/restoration, and a fail-safe environment that can be live within minutes from another location in case of unexpected infrastructure failure.
- Support and training are self-service (see Training section above).
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Fee-for-Service
University Relations' Web Communication team offers a fee-for-service component to groups around campus. With this service, we offer full website build and website maintenance support.
Website build projects include:
- Sitemap creation and menu structure strategy
- Content wrangling and organization
- Adding all content to the website
- Providing custom CSS styling and design while keeping in-line with UAB’s brand standards
- Site photography
Website maintenance support includes:
- Content updates
- 48-hour response time
- Maintenance and support of custom CSS and functionality needs on your site
Current fee-for-service partners include School of Engineering, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Health Professions, School of Optometry, Libraries, Financial Affairs, Provost sites and others around campus.
For inquiries on fee-for-service projects, email
Hayley Zorn , Director of Web Communications. -
UAB Medicine
If you are working in the UAB Medical Center and would like to be included on the UAB Medicine website, please refer to the UAB Medicine Branding Site for more information.
Acquia Optimize
UAB uses a web governance tool called Acquia Optimize as a funded resource for all centrally managed and approved "www" sites. Optimize’s Quality Assurance (QA) tool consolidates information in a way that is easy to understand. The dashboard displays the errors that Monsido scans for: broken links, broken images, misspellings, and accessibility.
- Broken Links - The broken link tool scans all the internal and external links on your website to make sure they are working. Sort by link, page or image.
- Spelling Mistakes - The spell check feature identifies and locates misspellings on all your sites and even lets you customize your dictionary.
- Accessibility - In the dashboard, you will immediately get an overview of your website's accessibility level, including a total count of issues and which pages they occur on. Utilizing Machine Learning and AI-based discovery and prioritization, you'll always know where to focus your efforts to maximize compliance.
If you would like a more detailed summary of the many benefits of Acquia Optimize, visit their website or contact Web support.
UAB Web Brand Guidelines
Learn about our brand guidelines requires for UAB websites
Domain Name / Hosting
Domain Names
UAB URLs are extensions of the root uab.edu, such as www.uab.edu/toolkit. While www.uab.edu is the preferred root name, some departments may have alternative third-level domains. These are approved on a case-by-case basis by Marketing & Communications. Please email
Learn more about registrating a domain name here.
Hosting
Hosting services are offered at no charge when you use UAB's content management system, Joomla.
We try to make Joomla as easy to learn and use as possible, but if you decide to use an outside vendor instead, please see our guide for more information on vendors.