10 higher education website mistakes to avoid

BIGIdea?

what’s the

admissionadvancementAcademic Reputation

Ad

Av

Ar

The Journey

prospective student current student alumni

institutional Objectives

strategy

user goals+

10mistakes

+1

hide

seek

#1

and go

Simple & intuitive

example

Builds

engagement

through

interaction

Simple & intuitive

Program

finder

Multiple

paths to

programs

Multiple

paths to

programs

Multiple

paths to

programs

Proactively

presents

program

options

Better

placement?

Mega

Menu

Even Better:

Promotional

area

FooterFat

Bread

crumbs

“Smart”

Search

hello, my name is.#2hello my name is.

Enable users to

personalize

their

experience

Personalize

content

based on

user behavior

or profile

strategy.

#3

hopeis not a

Finish the

sequence

with an

action

Strong, consistent calls-to-action

Sell the visit call-to-action

Make

Prospectives

want to come

to campus

Even better: Finish video

with a strong

call-to-action

#4socialseparation.

Aggregate

social feeds

Great Branding!

Allows

users to

filter

content

#5

accessdenied.

Accessible

alumni

content

Accessible

alumni

content

Integrated

Alumni

Success

Stories

Integrated

Alumni

Success

Stories

#6

you’rehired.

In-depth

Faculty

Biography

In-depth

Faculty

Biography

Speaks to

value of

education

Even Better:

Leverage

Linkedin

Even better:

use video

#7

mdot mnot=

Optimal

browsing

experience

Optimal

browsing

experience

#8education

informationis about

Strong

messaging

Large

Imagery,

content

hierarchy

Strong

graphics

Interactive

elements

Storytelling

Use video

to engage

users

#9

Ring

doorbell.the

Clear

orientation,

strong

calls-to-action

Even better:

Add an

“Apply Now” Call-to-action

#10Tall,

handsome.dark&

Surface relevant

content

Present

Topical

Information

#11

It’s none ofmybusiness.

From brands

like Amazon

…And

Zappos

Smart

Marketing!

…and

Nordstrom

…and

Expedia

Even better:

add call-to-action

to register

questions thoughts funny jokes

Thanks.

Thanks.

California Lutheran University:

Champlain College:

Drew University:

Clemson University:

Bucknell University:

MCPHS:

Universidade De Coimbra:

Arizona State University:

Oregon State University:

Boston University:

University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School):

Lassonde School of Engineering:

Lancaster University:

AUCSM:

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design:

Bentley University:

Emmanuel College:

Washington State University:

Phillips Academy Andover:

http://www.callutheran.edu/

http://www.champlain.edu/

http://www.drew.edu/

http://www.clemson.edu/

http://www.bucknell.edu/

http://www.mcphs.edu/

http://visit.uc.pt/en/about/

http://www.asu.edu/

http://oregonstate.edu/

http://www.bu.edu/

http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/

http://lassonde.yorku.ca/

http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/

http://www.aucmed.edu/

http://www.rmcad.edu/

http://www.bentley.edu/

http://www.emmanuel.edu/

http://www.wsu.edu/

http://www.andover.edu