Moving to SiteWorks

This is an outline of the main steps to a live SiteWorks site from a Web Manager perspective. It assumes you will be working on a u3a site, but the process for a Network/Region is essentially the same.

While this list may seem pretty long the majority of steps are specific short actions.

  1. If your u3a hasn’t done so, register your Web Manager(s) contact details (email address) with us using this form on the home page Start here
  2. A team member will email you asking you to facilitate the electronic signing of Terms & Conditions (T&Cs) by your committee.  We ask you as your email address will already be registered with us.  Note that we use u3a Beacon as the communications tool and you are welcome to reply to the email even though ‘From’ will be ‘noreply@beacon.u3a.org.uk’.  Please check your email throughout the process. If you want to see the T&Cs in advance they are linked from the FAQ Terms & Conditions (see FAQs menu).
  3. Forward the request to the committee for approval and signing. Signing is electronic via the u3a Portal by the authorised committee member (usually the Secretary) who holds the Portal login details. Note, the u3a Portal is managed by the Trust staff in the London office and SiteWorks volunteers cannot help with this. The Portal login page has a contact email address.
  4. We are advised when the T&Cs have been signed. This might take up to five working days.
  5. If you are new to WordPress and SiteWorks there will be a Foundation Guide for Web Managers available for you to study. This includes details on how to try out SiteWorks on your computer (also see Web Manager > New Web Managers > Install Local WP and Demo site).
  6. You will be allocated an experienced volunteer Supporter. They will be your personal ‘Help Desk’. As well as dealing with the practicalities of ordering your website they offer advice and guidance and may be willing to help with adding content.
  7. As a new Web Manager you will be invited to the optional Monday afternoon drop-in support sessions to discuss issues or concerns and potential solutions.
  8. You advise your Supporter when you are ready for them to request setting up your live site.
  9. You prepare your live site for publication (note that it will not be publicly visible at the stage). Your Supporter will of course be on hand and helps check your site before going public (live).
  10. You make your site live.