In busy schools, where every moment counts, it’s imperative that you have a user-friendly and effective school website. This may often be a job for the office staff, but it can also save them lots of time in the long run as parents will not feel the need to call them as much to find basic bits of information. We understand the unique challenges that school staff face, often finding themselves stretched for time. In this blog, we’ll explore key tips and tricks to ensure your school website not only shines but becomes a reliable hub for information. And the best part? Our easy-to-use Content Management System (CMS) will be your ally in effortlessly maintaining an up-to-date school website.

1. Simplicity is Key

A clutter-free and intuitive website design ensures that visitors – parents, students, and staff – can easily find the information they need. Opt for a clean layout with straightforward navigation menus. Keep the homepage uncluttered, featuring essential announcements and quick links to commonly accessed sections. Background videos and photos can also give a great impression of your school on the homepage so you can keep the more wordy detail for other pages. 

2. Mobile Responsiveness

In an era dominated by smartphones and tablets, your school website must be accessible on various devices. A mobile-responsive design is not just a trend but a necessity. Our easy-to-use CMS automatically optimises content for different screen sizes, ensuring a seamless experience for users on the go. We can also build a school app for you, which is then free for parents to download, which helps to connect with parents who rely on their smartphones. 

3. Clear Navigation

Think of your school website as a well-organised library; users should effortlessly find what they’re looking for. Categorise information logically, with clearly labelled menus. Think about the ‘journey’ through your website visitors will take. This may be different for prospective parents, current parents and other members of your community. Prioritise sections like ‘About Us,’ ‘Admissions,’ and ‘Contact’ for quick access, and use homepage pop-ups to highlight upcoming open days or other events. With our CMS, updating navigation menus is a breeze, making it easy to adapt to evolving needs. You may also want to highlight your social media feeds or quick links to commonly searched-for documents. 

4. Engaging Visuals

A picture is worth a thousand words, and this rings true for school websites. Incorporate high-quality images that capture the essence of your school community – vibrant classrooms, happy students, and dedicated staff. Regularly update photo galleries to showcase events, projects, and achievements which showcase your curriculum work as well as wider extra-curricular work and special days/activities. 

5. Up-to-Date Information

Keeping information current is a common challenge for busy school staff. An outdated website can lead to frustration and confusion among users. Our CMS simplifies the content update process, allowing staff to swiftly edit and publish information. Regularly review and update important pages like the calendar, news section, and staff directories to keep everyone in the loop.

6. Interactive Features

Make your website a dynamic platform by incorporating interactive features such as using our Form Builder to collect feedback or survey parents/students/staff. An online newsletter or blog can keep the school community informed and engaged, or we can add your social media feeds into your website to help keep parents engaged with these channels. Your news items and diary dates should also be regularly updated to ensure there is always something new to see and find out about. 

7. Security First

Protecting sensitive information is paramount. Ensure that your school website has robust security measures in place. Regularly update software, use secure hosting, and implement encryption protocols. Our CMS follows industry best practices for security, providing you with peace of mind as you focus on doing what you do best. 

Conclusion

Crafting a user-friendly and effective school website doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With our easy-to-use CMS and the tips outlined in this blog, you can create a digital space that reflects the vibrancy of your school community. Remember, we understand the time constraints faced by school staff, and our CMS is designed to simplify the process of maintaining an up-to-date and engaging website. In addition we offer unlimited support so you are always welcome to chat, call or email 🙂

Get in touch to find out more about how you can refresh your school website to ensure your visitors have the best experience.