umw.domains logo with house and apartment icons in a back to school setting

The University of Mary Washington offers two free website building platforms to all students, faculty, and staff.

Each platform serves different needs and is appropriate for different projects. 

You can have an account on both platforms, so choose the one that works best for your current project!

Sites@UMW

A streamlined platform designed to get users building on the web quickly and easily. 

Build WordPress sites using a few built-in customization options.

an icon of an apartment building with several empty windows and one yellow window

Think of it like an apartment. 

It’s less responsibility than owning a home, but you are limited in how you can decorate.

Recommended for:

  • Beginners
  • Course websites and blogs
  • Short-term or simple projects
  • In-class/internally-facing projects

Domain of One's Own

A powerful platform suitable for complex projects.

Build fully-customizable sites using WordPress and many other applications, and take them with you after you leave UMW.

an icon of a house with a yellow door

Think of it like a plot of land.

You own the property and can build whatever you want, but you are responsible for maintenance and upkeep.

Recommended for:

  • Beginners & advanced users
  • Personal/professional websites
  • Long-term or complex projects
  • Externally-facing projects

Examples

Sites@UMW

Domain of One's Own

Feature Comparison

Features Sites @ UMW Domain of One's Own
Build multiple WordPress websites and publish on the web for FREE
Many helpful features come pre-installed with each website
Support available from the UMW Digital Knowledge Center
Download your work and take it with you after leaving UMW
Choose part of your site URL (e.g "yourname.umwsites.net")
Choose entire site URL (e.g. "yourname.com")
Take your site URL with you after leaving UMW
Build sites with WordPress and many other applications
Select from the full library of plugins, themes, and customization options