This paper reports on a study of student perceptions of a web-based writing support program at Macquarie University, Sydney. The online resource was primarily designed to assist first year Education students to prepare for their first major university assignment. It is currently being re-designed in response to feedback. Results of the ongoing evaluation of this web-based writing support resource indicate that students were, on the whole, positive about the quality and level of support it provided, however they made a number of suggestions for modifying the site so as to maximise its utility. These suggestions are presented in the paper, along with a discussion of students' perceptions of the effectiveness of the online resource in helping them to meet the demands of their first major writing task at university. The paper concludes by exploring opportunities for developing the writing website for university-wide student use, incorporating generic and discipline-specific support.