Why use Fresco?
Fresco is Oxford’s new custom-built web platform, created for the University, by the University. It’s designed to make life easier for editors and to deliver better experiences for audiences. Here are ten reasons why it should be your first choice.
1. Easy to use, flexible by design
With Fresco’s visual editor, you add components straight onto your page and see changes instantly. Streamlined options, shaped by user testing, mean you can focus on creating great content, not getting stuck in technical detail.
2. Accessible and compliant
Accessibility is built in from the start, with all templates tested against WCAG standards so every site can meet the University’s commitment to inclusive digital experiences. Fresco uses sA11y, a tool to help you check accessibility as you work. Get instant prompts for things like missing alt text, headings and links, making it easier to create content that works for everyone.
3. Cost-effective and supported
Fresco comes packed with features out of the box, reducing the need for costly bespoke builds. Dedicated expert support means your budget can go into content and impact, not maintenance. You’ll also get access to a library of guides, examples, and training resources.
4. Shared investment, shared benefit
Fresco evolves with feedback from across its community of users. Every enhancement rolls out to all sites, so everyone benefits. By looking at trends across Fresco’s websites, we can see what works and feed those insights into optimised page templates saving you time, improving consistency, and raising the quality of sites across the University.
5. Features that bring content to life
Use components like accordions to keep pages clear, banners to highlight key messages, and image galleries to showcase content. Listings and templates make publishing efficient and help visitors find what they need. Fresco’s library will grow with community input, and with responsive design built in, your site will look great on any device.
6. Streamlined publishing workflow
Work on drafts while the live version remains online. Add notes to drafts, route content for approval, and keep track with version history. Preview changes, compare revisions, and share draft links with colleagues before publishing. Fresco makes collaboration straightforward.
7. Join a growing community
We’re building on the success of the Mosaic User Group by creating the Oxford Fresco User Group. This community offers peer support, workshops, and direct input into the platform’s roadmap. And if you get stuck, our dedicated support team is on hand with one-to-one help, workshops, and drop-in sessions.
8. Pages built for search
Fresco’s five core page types, Page, Person, Article, Event and Location, use structured data to make your content easier for search engines to understand. That means better visibility in search results, so your pages stand out and attract more visitors.
9. Safe in our hands
Oxford Fresco is hosted on Acquia’s secure cloud platform, with 24/7 monitoring and regular backups. All sites run over HTTPS, security patches are automatic, and our in-house team works alongside Acquia specialists to keep your content safe.
10. A long-term, strategic solution
Fresco is aligned with Oxford’s Digital Content Strategy and backed by IT Services. With a clear roadmap, integrations with key University systems such as Single Sign-On now in place, and Symplectic Elements and Oxford Events (replacing OxTalks) in development, it provides stability and innovation for the long term
Ready to get started?
To discuss your needs or book a demo of Fresco, get in touch with the Fresco team.
Illustrations generated with the assistance of OpenAI.