Word Up – it’s the code word…

Defra and WordPressSimon Everest

Defra online: A brief history…

• Inherited websites from MAFF and DETR

• Mix of static content and bespoke apps

• Mixed ownership, shared between comms/marketing, library, policy and IT

• No clear content strategy; organisation-driven, limited customer focus

Introduction to WordPress

• First steps into Ministerial blogs, inherited from DCLG… soon transferred to FCO

• New Minister, new blog, but no platform…

WordPress

• Cheap 3rd party host, some DNS changes and a rudimentary hacked theme – online within a week

Brave new world by 2009…

• Recognised that…

– other Departments were doing good things with WordPress, beyond blogging (particularly DIUS/BERR, now BIS)

– we could do the same, with proven host and existing WordPress platform

• First steps into digital engagement with WordPress – Food 2030 – with a copycat Commentariat theme

Consolidation

• Successfully used WordPress for increasingly high profile activities

• Integrated Commentariat into new Defra templates for consistent user-experience

• Refined ‘behind the scenes’ approach, focus on moderation skills with policy colleagues

Expansion

• Tentative steps into WordPress as a CMS

• Worked with Puffbox to develop microsites for the UK Location Programme and Science Advisory Council

• Press Office keen to develop their role online – 1st attempt at a media centre

• BIS ‘interim’ WordPress site planted seed of an idea…

All change… May 2010

• Agreement from Management Board to launch of interim site, ‘freeze’ of old site

• Interim site in preparation for ‘machinery of government’ changes - WordPress

• Shared infrastructure, hosted by Cabinet Office/Steria/TheClub

• Contained news, speeches, statements, and new policy only

From a small seed…

• Decision taken to move corporate website to WordPress agreed with Management Board

• Our vision…

– Small core site, centrally managed, high-quality content matching customer and business priorities

– Modular construction, with dedicated themes for defined content types, and ability to devolve low value or narrow audience content publishing

– Flexible and rapid development to match Departmental requirements

Making it happen

• Commissioned Puffbox to develop theme

• Commissioned new content, edited by in-house DirectGov and Biz Link editors

• Began search for hosting solution

• Began planning for major DNS changes

• Began communicating change to Department

Hosting

• Hosting options from IBM (our IT supplier), Steria/TheClub and FCOS considered

• Tight timeline to move from ‘temporary’ host required expedited decision-making…

• FCOS chosen on combination of cost and ‘fit’ with requirements: closest match with 3rd party ISP equiv, but consistent with ‘shared services’ in government approach

Content development

• Very limited migration… new content structured around customers, and where possible, business priorities embedded

• Top line information – to be kept brief, in a common structure – 130 pages (so far)

• Top down, not bottom up

• ‘Old’ static site locked prior to archival

Go live

• Moved from Steria to FCOS on 4 October

• Currently at ww2.defra.gov.uk

• ‘Core’ site and media centre themes fully functional

• Site responsive, easy to manage

• Very different to working in Dreamweaver – BETTER!

Future plans

• Move static site to archive.defra.gov.uk and reclaim www.defra.gov.uk

• New theme for ‘publications’

• Integration of ‘commentariat’-style sites

• Comment-based feedback

• Devolved publishing

• Leverage WordPress core functionality, not just replicate what we had before…

The end

• Any questions?