Two Platforms for Website Building #
At UMW, we have two ways for you to create to the open web.
Domain of One’s Own #
Domain of One’s Own is a web hosting service available to any member of the University of Mary Washington community. It provides users with a domain and hosting where users have the opportunity and flexibility to design and create a meaningful and vibrant digital identity. Users can install a myriad of applications including WordPress, Omeka, MediaWiki, and Drupal.
Users may choose to map their domain (or a subdomain) to other services, such as Medium, Squarespace, Google Sites, Wix, or Tumblr.
Sites@UMW #
Sites@UMW is a publishing platform available to any member of the University of Mary Washington community. Built with the open-source software WordPress, it allows users to create a blog, a course, or a project site to begin building their professional web presence. Users do not have the ability to extensively customize their site and are limited to the themes and plugins already installed.
Which One? #
This is a question we get a lot, and depending on what your needs are, you might want to choose one over the other. If you are using Sites@UMW or Domain of One’s Own for a class be sure to check with the professor to make sure you are using the right platform. While they have things in common they don’t do the exactly same thing.
At a Glance #
Sites@UMW #
- A subsite on umwsites.net and as many as you want
- For example, you could have yourname.umwsites.net and yoursecretidentity.umwsites.net
- Get to building right away
- Once you’ve picked your subdomain WordPress is ready for you to start writing.
- Low-maintenance
- Admins manage updates of themes/plugins
- Spam protection already turned on
Domain of One’s Own #
- One top-level domain
- For example, you could have Yourname.com
- Choose from a large variety of applications
- Including WordPress, Omeka, Media Wiki, and Drupal.
- Full control over the look and feel of your site
- Install as many themes/plugins as you want.
Common Questions #
| Sites@UMW | Domain of One’s own | |
|---|---|---|
| Where do I sign-up? | You can start by going to the sign-up page. | You can start by going to our sign-up page page. |
| What domain (URL) can I have? | Your URL will be a subsite on Sites@UMW domain. For example: * YourNameHere.umwsites.net * YourSecretIdentity.umwsites.net * YourFavoriteAnimal.umwsites.net | As long as it is available you can have any top-level domain you want! For example: * YourNameHere.com * YourSecretIdentity.org * YourFavoriteAnimal.net |
| How many domains (URLs) can I have? | You can create as many subsites as you want. | We only pay for one domain, but if you want you can purchase your own and add it on to your account. However, you can create as many subdomains as you want. |
| Does it have WordPress? | Yes! In fact, Sites@UMW is WordPress only. | Yes, you can install WordPress on your domain. |
| When using WordPress can I install new themes and plugins? | No, you are limited to activating the themes/plugins made available by the Sites@UMW admins. | Yes, you have control over what is installed on your domain. If you can find a theme/plugin you can install it. |
| Can I install other applications like Omeka or Media Wiki? | No, Sites@UMW is only WordPress. | Yes, with web hosting you can install many applications including Media Wiki, Drupal, Omeka, and more. |
| Can I get FTP access to my site? | No, Sites@UMW does allow FTP access. | Yes, with your account you have FTP credentials you can use to control and update your site. |
| Can I take my stuff with me when I leave UMW? | Yes, you can take your content with you but you can’t take the URL. | Yes, you can take both your content and your URL with you |
Reviewed by Anastasia Zanyuk 08/13/22
