I have examined many private school Web sites since I became an About Guide in July 1997. So I thought that I would share with you some of the things which make a Web site attractive, IMHO!
Simplicity
The acronym KISS (Keep It Simple
Stupid) applies to Web page design as it does to so many things in life!
Can't tell you how many times I go to a site which I have never seen before,
and literally cannot find the information I am looking for.
- Forget the slow loading graphics! In this imperfect world, most of us are still limping along on 28.8 modems. T1 lines? Cable access? Forget it! And if you live in a third world country like I do, the infrastructure is problematic at best, non-functional at worst, making slow access speeds a daily occurrence.
- Please don't harass your reader with audio files. If you want to highlight something musical, do as St. George's School, Newport, Rhode Island does, and make it an optional extra!
- Avoid garish colors for background and/or text! It's hard on the old eyes.
Who should design the site?
For lots of good reasons, many school
Web sites have been designed by the school's computer department. I firmly
believe that the Public Relations and/or Marketing arm of the school should
come up with the design, and that the computer staff implement it. Or have
the tagging done professionally if you wish and can afford the cost. But,
the concept and content ought to be the result of a good PR office's knowledge
of who the school's trying to reach, what the present constituency is,
and what the target audience for the future might be.
Some schools have used student designs
with great effect, for instance, The
Miller School, Charlottesville, Virginia. And, of course, include all
the photos of your gorgeous ivy covered walls and sports complexes you
wish to! Just link them from the first or second page so that a reader
has the option of exploring or ignoring as he wishes. After all,
if all I want to find is the Admissions Information Page so that I can
request a catalog or make an interview appointment, I really don't want
to wade through layers of pictures to get to the page I want to use.
Put Essential Information on the
First Page
When I go to a new site, the first
thing I look for is a well-organized index so that I can see what the school
is all about (Mission Statement) and find out how to apply (Admissions).
It would be so helpful if I could find out something about the school population,
admissions statistics, and college acceptances. These are very useful to
prospective students and their parents, especially when changes have been
made which affect these statistics. Often a school will upsize or downsize,
or change admissions requirements, or add a new program or make other changes
which have an effect on standards. Perhaps a new head has been appointed
after dear old Dr. So-and-so has retired. Has the new head been successful?
In what directions is she taking the school? You ought to make the necessary
statistics available for your readers.
In sum, your Web site is an electronic version of your catalog. Now, most of you spend top dollar for really elegant catalogs replete with professional graphics and superb copy. Compare your Web site to your catalog! Does it measure up?
For some more ideas turn to page 2.
--Rob Kennedy, Private Schools Guide
Related Links
School
Web Sites: Superior Design Features
School
Web Sites: Internet Safety and Photos
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Private School Technology Center
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