Government web property oversight

Friendly URLs are short or simple URLs that are typically used for marketing and print materials. For example:

• https://www.gov.bc.ca/covid19
• https://www.gov.bc.ca/bcservicescard

Review the Human-Readable URLs (HRUs) and GUIDs guide and keep the following guidelines in mind when proposing a simple URL:

• Be clear, concise and specific
• Avoid using acronyms unless they're widely understood (like MSP)
• Don't use hyphens. Instead, capitalize each word to create separation.

Request a friendly URL

Contact your ministry's GCPE communications shop to confirm your new URL before submitting a request.

Go to the SBC Client Service Desk and complete the URL Redirect/Custom URL form with:

• The name of your GCPE approver
• Your proposed URL
• Your reason for requesting the simple URL
• The page GUID you want the simple URL to point to
• The date you want the simple URL to go live

Completion time

If all information is provided, expect your request to be completed within 5 business days.

You must apply for an exemption to create a government web presence (including intranets) outside of CMS Lite, the corporate content management system.

To be approved, your site must:

• Have technical requirements not supported by CMS Lite, such as citizen engagement that need commenting and moderation
• Be a GCPE marketing site
• Contain a subject matter or require unique branding that falls outside core government, like an arms-length organization or independent regulatory agency

GCPE is responsible for all marketing and advertising materials prepared for the public. If you're building a marketing site, contact GCPEADMAR@victoria1.gov.bc.ca to seek approvals and ensure alignment with core policy.

Intranets built in CMS Lite do not require approval. To set up a new intranet in CMS Lite, submit a ticket to the SBC Service Desk.

Request an exemption from CMS Lite

1. Complete the CMS Lite Exemption Request Form (PDF).
2. Go to the SBC Client Service Desk and complete the URL Redirect/Custom URL form and attach the PDF form.

The service desk will route your request through the Web Oversight Committee for approval. Once the request is approved, they will submit your request for processing and inform you when it is complete.

Web presences that receive an exemption also typically have unique registered domain names. These need to be approved separately as detailed below.

Completion time

If your request is complete and accurate, expect your request to be completed within 10 business days.

A domain name is a unique address used to access websites. For example:

• https://gov.bc.ca
• https://drivebc.ca

Multiple domains are not allowed due to cost of maintenance and hosting.

A sub-domain is an addition to your main domain name. Sub-domains are created to organize and navigate to different sections of your website and are used for secured intranets and internal applications. For example: https://gww.gov.bc.ca.

Registering a domain is a fixed quote service provided by SSBC, and costs will change depending on requirements. Currently, a domain name costs approximately $200 for a 5-year period.

A new domain or sub-domain must:

• Reflect the website purpose
• Follow the ‘websitename.ca’ standard
• Not contain acronyms (note - special exceptions have been made for long standing programs or services known to the public, such as MSP)
• Not contain hyphens

Request a domain name

1. Choose a registration term, between 1 and 9 years, appropriate to your needs.
2. Complete the Domain Name Request Form (PDF).
3. Go to the SBC Client Service Desk and complete the URL Redirect/Custom URL form and attach the PDF form.

The service desk will route your request through the Web Oversight Committee for approval and inform you when it is complete.

Request a domain renewal or transfer

Choose a registration term, between 1 and 9 years, appropriate to your needs.

Go to the SBC Client Service Desk and complete the Domain / DNS form with:

• The name of your GCPE approver
• The registered domain name you need to renew or transfer
• Your reason for requesting the renewal or transfer

Completion time

If your request is complete and accurate, expect your domain name to be registered within 5 working days.

A .ca domain will be active the day it is registered, but not accessible by the root servers for 24 hours. Non .ca domains take 48 hours to activate.