A target for your school in 2017 might be a new school website. So where do you start, most start by typing the search term school websites in to the google search bar! (Other search engines are available).
There is so much to consider, and especially with many companies in the market all touting for the business! You may be an expert in web technology or you may wonder what on earth a CMS is?
The exciting thing about web design is that once a website is live it is still very dynamic, you can tinker and change menus, edit links on the home page, change photo images, links to school videos and so much more. A phased 5 step approach is probably the best way forward.
Step 1. Meet with 2 or 3 website companies and go with the company that you believe you will be able to work with the best. It can be a long partnership and should involve many face to face meetings. When you searched for School Websites, you were looking for inspiration. Your chosen company should help provide inspiration.
Step 2. Be sure to work on the design so it showcases your school. At the same time keep an eye on how easy it is to access content and move through the website. Great design must equal easy to navigate.
Step 3. Use analytics to shape your website, and listen to feedback from parents and students.
Step 4. Think about the use of social media and video content.
Step 5. Use it as a the communication hub for parents. Short and frequent news snippets, upcoming events, online forms.
Smart School Websites are constantly developing products to make life easy for managing school websites. Website, Parent APP, Online office, Email Parents, Video Portal.. All managed in one CMS…. and for those who wonder what a CMS is, Quite simply the Admin area!
Why choose Smart School Websites?
Our two directors both worked in a Secondary School, so always try to keep meetings JARGON FREE! We are more than a website company, we understand the day to day business of running a school and how challenging that can be!
Contact us to arrange a coffee and introduction on how Smart School Websites would be able to support your School. More importantly so you can stop searching for School Websites.