What will my site's domain name (URL) be?

Your site’s domain follows standard conventions based on the HarvardSites platform you are using. 

• For WordPress, sites are typically created with a default URL in the format sites.harvard.edu/sitename
• For Drupal, sites follow default specific naming conventions unless a custom domain is requested for the site
  • For academic profiles, the default domain is firstnamelastname.scholars.harvard.edu/
  • For other sites, the default domain is sitename.hsites.harvard.edu. See below for custom domain sites.

These conventions support consistency, governance, and long-term maintainability across Harvard’s web ecosystem.

Custom domains

• If your website requires a custom domain, it can be requested as part of the launch process and is subject to review and approval by your School or Unit’s web governance group. 
• Third-level domains (sitename.harvard.edu) require authorization from the Trademark Office. Fourth-level School domains (sitename.fas.harvard.edu) require authorization and approval from the respective School or unit.

Custom domains should align with institutional naming standards and lifecycle policies to ensure clarity, reduce duplication, and support sustainable portfolio management over time.