#  Setting up a site 

 



 ##  

  expand\_more  

 
  

 

## How to get and set up a site

### Step 1: Request a site

The process for requesting a site varies depending on your school or unit.

1. Select your school or unit from the [Website Requests](https://huit.harvard.edu/website-requests) page for contact information and guidance for your area on requesting a website.
2. Once your request is approved and your site is provisioned, you can log in to HarvardSites Drupal (see [Logging in to your site](/logging-in-to-your-site "Logging in to your site")) and access the editing features of the platform.

   ![Screenshot of admin toolbar for the site administrator role.](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/2024-10/screenshot_admin_toolbar.png?itok=st5oXKQK) 

 

The admin toolbar for **Site Administrators** includes site configuration options, including **Menus**, **Taxonomy**, **Site Settings**, and **People**.### Step 2: Configure your site

The initial site setup involves configuring the site header and footer with details about the site. **Site Administrators** can access the **Site Settings** menu.

1. Provide a **Site Name** and an optional **Site Subname** for your site.
2. Choose a **Style** for the header and footer**.** Options for site headers are **Stacked, Inline**, or **Compact** and site footers can display in **Columns** or **Centered**.
3. Select an option for displaying the site name. Site headers and footers can contain the site name and subname as text or as a logo (see [how to get a signature extension](https://www.harvard.edu/guidelines/brand-identity/signatures-and-fonts/) to use as a logo). For text, choose whether to display the **Site Subname** above or below the **Site Name**.
4. Provide additional optional details in your site footer:
    1. **Blurb:** A short description of the topic of your site, for example, a department description or short biography.
    2. **Address, phone, and email:** The contact information associated with the site.
    3. **Social links:** URLs of relevant social media sites, including Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Threads, Bluesky, and custom social media links.

   ![Screenshot of site header with the site name, search feature, and utility navigation in the top section and the site navigation menu below.](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/2024-10/screenshot_site_header.png?itok=FOdm5xMN) 

 

The site header on the [Department of Rocket Science demo site](https://drupaldemo.harvardsites.harvard.edu/) displays the **Site Name** and **Subname** as text and uses the **Stacked** style, with the site menu appearing below the site name.

 

---

 

##  Related how-tos 

Now that your site is set up, consult the following pages for instructions on how to add content, menus, and prepare your site for launch.

 

 



  [### Logging in to your site

 ](/logging-in-to-your-site)Learn how to log in to your site.



 

 

   ![Closeup of filigree on a gate with columns and a plaza beyond.](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-11/thumb_logging_in.jpg?itok=UThRONxd) 

 



 

 

   [### Creating a new page

 ](/creating-new-page)How to add a new page to your website.



 

 

   ![A yellow exterior wall with a window with the frame and glass painted white](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-03/thumb_create_new_page.jpg?itok=Tc0mTMEE) 

 



 

 

   [### Adding a component

 ](/adding-component)How to add a component to add content to your site.



 

 

   ![Bicycle and cropped view of the rider casting a long shadow on the sidewalk](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-03/thumb_add_component.jpg?itok=Y-phSwmp) 

 



 

 

   [### Managing menus

 ](/managing-menus)How to add menu items to the main navigation, utility navigation, and footer navigation.



 

 

   ![View of Widener Library in winter from outside an open gate.](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-10/thumb_manage_menus.jpg?itok=eYiQSWQv) 

 



 

 

   [### Managing site visibility

 ](/managing-site-visibility)How to understand and manage site visibility settings to control who can view your site.



 

 

   ![A person sitting at a table in a large room, backlit by sunlight streaming through windows showing a snowy outdoor scene.](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-10/thumb_site_visibility_0.jpg?itok=F_FHGjNA) 

 



 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 



 

 See also:- [ How-tos ](/content-structure/how-tos)
- [ Site Settings ](/topics/site-settings)