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Frequently Asked Questions
Agency Platform Websites
What changes, if any, would we need to make to our website to fit State requirements?
We would recommend a joint site review with you, but at a high level, your existing content would just be ported over into our distribution. Once there, you can choose the theme and color scheme at will and all your content moves seamlessly.
What about our current site and web address (URL)?
Our default deployment strategy would be to deploy your new site under our .az.gov domain using the following convention: https://<your_agency>.az.gov. Using this convention, ADOA-ASET pays for and maintains the domain name and SSL certificate renewals to ensure your site complies with the latest security policies and standards. You may also continue to maintain your existing domain name as a secondary URL if you choose. We will work with you to ensure any other domain names are redirected. If we need to coordinate with 3rd-parties to move the DNS registrations to the State, we will do so. In addition, we can work with your organization to ensure that your web site and SEO is setup to drive all searches and hits to the new name. Over time as you see fewer redirects and consistent search results, you can drop the unneeded registrations.
I am a developer, will I be provided with unfettered access to the site?
We include maintenance and support of your site as part of the service, leaving you free to focus on the content of your site. We are also responsible for the full management of the platform and updating of its components and the software distribution. While we do provide 24/7 access to your site, it is not “unfettered” in that we only expose the following user roles:
- Contributor: The contributor only has permission to create and edit their own content and cannot publish content, edit content created by others, or make any configuration changes to the system.
- Editor: The editor can create, modify and publish content.
- Power User: This role is designed for agencies with technical staff capable of performing limited configuration changes to the site.
Our offering will continue to mature over time with additional options, capabilities and services. If you are interested in adding additional modules to your site or developing custom functionality for your site, we are happy to work with you to discuss options for providing the necessary access to your site as well as potential restrictions on our ability to provide support for these enhancements.
We have development resources and are interested in hosting our own instance of the Agency Platform. How can I do that?
If you are interested in taking the distribution and deploying yourself or modifying it, we have it available for download along with the Website Style guide (Located on the Resource page). Please contact the Digital Government Program Manager for more information.
Is there Drupal training available?
Yes. The Getting Started Guide and User Guide are very helpful tools for basic instructions on content management. Also, ADOA-ASET YouTube videos that provide more details on Drupal. If you are interested in attending a professional Drupal training in a classroom setting, please contact the Digital Government Program Manager to discuss partnership options.
Can I accept credit card payments on my site?
The State of Arizona distribution now offers the ability for State agencies to accept credit card payments through their website. This offering is designed to allow State agencies to accept credit card payments for simple transactions such as course registrations, permits or the sale of digital products. Each situation is unique, and we encourage you to contact the Digital Government Program Manager to discuss your options.
Can we use our own design?
We currently provide two themes and ten color packs. Agencies have the ability to upload all of their own images and logos. There are at least a dozen different content layout options. These provide agencies ample opportunities to ‘personalize’ their site while ensuring that all sites will have a level of consistency. Over time, as we continue to enhance the platform any new themes, color packs, or features will be made available.
Are there things that are going to be mandatory?
Yes. Mandatory and optional items are listed in the Website Style Guide, located on the Resource Page. Agency Platform Webstite Drupal Themes include all mandatory elements.
Can we add modules?
Our offering will continue to mature over time with additional options, capabilities and services. If you are interested in adding additional modules to your site or developing custom functionality for your site, we are happy to work with you to discuss options for providing the necessary access to your site as well as potential restrictions on our ability to provide support for these enhancements.
Who else is using Drupal?
Drupal is used by government agencies all over the world including a multitude of US federal agencies, as well as over 80 Arizona Government Agencies.
Do you provide tools to ensure my site is accessible?
Yes – to ensure 508 Compliance and accessibility all images should include “Alternate Text”.
What is the cost of migrating my current site to Drupal?
To request a quote, please contact the ADOA Service Desk. Interested in learning more about how ASET can meet your website needs? Contact our Engagement Managers.
Will I have to make changes to my site while on the State network or will I be able to make updates from anywhere?
You can make content changes to your site from anywhere there is access to the internet.
Interested in learning more about how ASET can meet your website needs?
Our engagement managers can help.