In today’s digital-first world, having a well-designed, functional website is crucial for educational institutions. Often, institutions using outdated tools lack the flexibility, aesthetics, brand consistency, and functionality required to meet the expectations of today’s digital-savvy users.

Almabase now offers a powerful integration with WordPress, the world’s most popular content management system (CMS). This integration allows institutions to enhance their online presence with a highly customizable website while ensuring top-notch security and seamless support. This level of customization is crucial for standing out in a crowded digital landscape and ensuring that your website truly reflects your institution’s identity.

In this blog, we’ll explore what this integration entails, the benefits it offers, and the design services available to help you create a website that truly reflects your institution’s identity across all your webpages.

Seamless Integration with WordPress: What’s Included?

By default, Almabase comes with a default homepage with essential customization options like color schemes and logos to align with your school’s branding.

WordPress integration is a game changer for institutions that want advanced customization and flexibility. It unlocks advanced customization options, allowing you to either modify the default theme or create a unique theme tailored to your institution’s specific needs. This means you can fully leverage WordPress’s vast ecosystem of themes, plugins, and design tools to build a website that stands out.

Here are a few examples of our customers' WordPress pages:

1. Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation

2. Illinois Institute of Technology

3. Punahou School

Furthermore, all the features unlocked by the integration are available to every user at no additional charge. Whether you choose to customize the theme yourself or build a new one from scratch, you have the freedom to create a website that perfectly aligns with your institution’s branding guidelines.

For institutions that prioritize branding but may lack the time or staff to handle website design, Almabase offers professional design services to help bring your vision to life.

• Homepage Development: Whether you want to redesign your homepage or replicate another reference site, we offer tailored services to meet your needs.

• Internal Page Design: Help you create custom pages that resonate with your audience.

• Page Template Design: Help you build reusable templates that simplify content updates.

For users with or without WordPress experience

Whether you're familiar with WordPress or new to the platform, Almabase’s integration has you covered.

For Users with WordPress Experience:

1. Start with the default WordPress theme offered by Almabase.

2. Customize the branding, update the design of the header and footer, and modify the content of the homepage to highlight key programs.

3. Take advantage of features like:

• Access to Elementor Pro, a popular WordPress page builder

• WordPress front page customization

• Header and footer customization

• Access to paid plugins, like social media feeds

• Using WordPress for internal pages and posts

If you prefer, you can also purchase additional design services to replicate styling from another website or to assist with content migration.

For Users without WordPress Experience:

1. Start with the default WordPress theme offered by Almabase.

2. Easily add, remove, or modify content to reflect the key programs you want to highlight.

3. If needed, purchase additional design services to assist with styling replication and content migration, ensuring your website meets your expectations.

Regardless of your experience level, Almabase’s WordPress integration offers the customization flexibility you need to create a website that reflects your institution’s identity.

Robust Security & Compliance

Infrastructure

• Isolation: WordPress is installed in a separate, isolated virtual network, completely disconnected from Almabase’s production environment.

• Network Security: All workloads in the WordPress cluster use network security groups and appropriate firewall rules. Internet traffic is managed through gateway servers, allowing only HTTP(s) traffic.

Data Security

• Encryption at Rest: Data and OS disks are encrypted at rest using Azure Disk Storage Server-Side Encryption.

• Encryption in Transit: Data is encrypted in transit using TLS v1.2 or above, with HTTP requests redirected to HTTPS.

Data Backup and Recovery

• Regular Backups: Customized WordPress pages are backed up regularly to ensure quick recovery in the event of data loss.

Security Testing

• Routine Checks: We conduct regular security assessments and internal hackathons to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.

Application Security

• Restricted Access: Only authenticated users can access WordPress sites. Non-internet access from the WordPress cluster to the production cluster is disabled.

Almabase’s integration with WordPress provides institutions with an unmatched opportunity to create a highly customized, secure, and professional website. Whether you’re new to WordPress or an experienced user, Almabase offers the tools and support you need to build a site that enhances your alumni engagement efforts. With our expert support and robust security measures, you can focus on what matters most—building lasting connections with your alumni community.

[See it in action]