5 Reasons Why Your School Needs a New Website

Having a well-designed and highly functioning website for your school has never been more important than today. A recent study found that people form an impression of a company based on exploring their website for just a few minutes. So, if you wish your school’s website to catch the attention or is able to make a good first impression, then the website not only needs to be technically functional but also visually compelling and attention-grabbing.

Although you may have faith in the functionality and design of your website, with changing trends and search engine rankings, websites are aging both technically and aesthetically far faster than they formerly did. Websites frequently fall out of style and are replaced by fresh, creative concepts, just like fashion trends.

Also Read: Digital Marketing for Schools

Your school’s website has to have a big impact in a short space of time. Even if you may think it looks just the way it is, it might not be enough to keep your prospective parents interested.

Now, know 5 reasons to have a new website for your school-

1.     Website is 3 Years or more old

The time has come for your school to embark on a transformative journey by revamping your 3-year-old website. Your current website, with its aged design and limited functionality, no longer aligns with the dynamic and evolving digital landscape that shapes our world today.

Having a school website that is three years or older can come with several disadvantages in today’s fast-paced digital age. Like outdated content and design can give the impression that the school is not keeping up with the times. Furthermore, outdated security measures can make the site vulnerable to cyber threats, potentially compromising sensitive information and many more.

As technology continues to advance, your website must keep pace to provide an optimal user experience for your existing and potential parents. A new website is not just about aesthetics; it’s about enhancing usability, accessibility, and engagement.

With a fresh and modern design, intuitive navigation, and seamless integration of interactive features. It’s an opportunity to showcase your school’s growth, achievements, and forward-thinking spirit, demonstrating your commitment to embracing innovation and staying relevant in an increasingly digital age.

Therefore, in branding practices, it is highly advised to revamp your school’s website every 3 years for better-desired results. A new website isn’t just a cosmetic change; it’s a strategic investment that will resonate with your prospective parents, leaving a lasting impression of the school’s excellence and dedication to progress.

2.     Your school website is Not made with a Mobile-first approach

There was a time when websites were used to be made only for desktops. Then, times changed and an era of responsive websites came and everyone used to focus on the responsiveness of the website. Though websites were not made specifically for mobile, but they were still responsive on mobile as well.

Here, in an era dominated by mobile devices, it has become imperative for schools to adopt a mobile-first approach and embark on a journey to develop a new website. Earlier, the video formats were wide or landscape, but now it has changed to vertical or portrait format. The world is changing so fast.

According to Bankmycell, as of August 2023, 85.95% of people use smartphones. This means that a huge number of people want to explore everything on mobile phones only. Therefore, it becomes crucial for schools to make their website with a mobile-first approach. The AMP [Accelerated Mobile Pages] version of your website will benefit you the most. It improves page loading times and mobile-friendliness. Also, it is most likely that a website developed with AMP will be rewarded with higher rankings than slower and unresponsive sites.

So, dear schools, start developing websites for mobile first and then form its adaptations for desktops.

3.     The Website is not optimized for SEO

Google algorithm is an everchanging process. Last few years, changing algorithms demanded alignment with SEO [Search Engine Optimization]. SEO is the only thing that can provide you benefits like ranking your school on top of the searches, only if it is strategically and ingeniously aligned with the Google Algorithm.

Also Read: SEO for Schools

Today, new AI Algorithms have been introduced in the industry, like BERT and MUM, which are undoubtedly the deciding factors of your school’s Google ranking.

Therefore, making changes to your school website as per these algorithms and SEO can do wonders for your school. As your school website gets a high ranking, that shows your prospective parents that your school is top-notch, making them consider the school for their child. Eventually, more enrolments will be in your school’s account.

4.     Takes ages to load

Often a slow-loading website causes people to end up scrolling the competitor’s website. Making sure your website loads quickly could have a big impact on brand perception. Also, make sure that members of the school community can discover the most important information quickly since website conversion rates decline by an average of 4.42% with each extra second of loading time.

A fast-loading school website offers numerous benefits that significantly enhance the user experience and overall effectiveness of the site. First and foremost, it provides instant access to information, ensuring that visitors can quickly find what they need without frustrating delays. Additionally, these are more accessible, catering to users on various devices, including smartphones with slower internet connections. This inclusivity can attract a wider audience of prospective students and parents. Moreover, a speedy website encourages visitors to explore further, leading to increased engagement, longer visit durations, and potentially higher conversion rates for inquiries and applications.

Desktop and mobile phones have different loading speeds. Therefore, it becomes of high importance that schools keep a check on both spaces and make sure that no device is having trouble while loading high-quality images, videos, and content. Further, schools must know that there are some scripts that can be responsible for such slow loading, for example, Java scripts in mobile websites can cause the loading to slow, which ultimately leads to the disinterest of your prospective parents.

5.     Updating your website with the school’s new changes

In every school, there are some small and big changes that keep taking place in a year. These new changes in the school can be in its sports facility, infrastructure, and even in an academic curriculum. So, it holds a high significance to reflect the dynamic changes in your curriculum, infrastructure, and overall educational approach.

Your current website, though once comprehensive, no longer accurately represents the exciting advancements and progress your school has made. A new website is essential to provide an accurate portrayal of your evolving educational environment, showcasing updated information about your facilities, infrastructure, and teaching methodologies. By presenting these changes, you can offer prospective students and parents an accurate understanding of what you offer and how you have adapted to the latest educational trends.

Also Read: Lead Generation Company for Schools

Additionally, a new website allows you to communicate any other changes or developments in your school community, ensuring that everyone stays informed and engaged. Along with an aesthetic upgrade; it’s also about aligning our digital presence with our commitment to growth and excellence, presenting a platform that truly reflects the transformative journey our school is on.

6.     Rebranded schools need a new website

The dawn of a new era for your school calls for a fresh digital identity, and that’s why the necessity of a new website becomes a matter of utmost importance. When your school gets rebranded which includes a new colour scheme and logo, your current website no longer aligns with the exciting transformation that your school has undergone.

A rebranding effort signifies a significant transformation in the school’s identity, values, and mission. To effectively communicate these changes and the school’s fresh outlook, a new website becomes a crucial tool. A new website will not only mirror your refreshed visual identity but also present a cohesive and engaging platform for your prospective parents to explore. Ultimately, a new website for rebranded schools ensures consistency, authenticity, and effectiveness in conveying the school’s transformed identity and values to a wider audience, facilitating a smooth transition into this exciting new phase.

Conclusion

The imperative for a new website for our school is emphasized by a confluence of vital factors. The rapid evolution of digital landscapes, the increasing prevalence of mobile devices, the need for optimal SEO performance, the imperative to reflect our changing curriculum and infrastructure, etc.

By embracing a fresh website, you can take a significant step toward enhanced user experience, accessibility, and engagement. This new digital platform becomes a testament to our dedication to staying relevant, responsive, and forward-looking. Excel it with a brand-new website!