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9 min

Higher Education Website Design: Trends and Tips

For prospective students, the website is often the first impression of campus life, academic opportunities, and the overall culture of the institution. What’s more, current students, faculty, even alumni – everyone relies on the website as their go-to source of information. That’s a big deal when you consider that 94% of people say web design impacts their first impression of a brand. A poorly designed site can send applicants running for the hills faster than you can say "application deadline" while a well-crafted online experience can make all the difference in attracting top talent. A Forrester study found that a good user interface (UI) can raise website conversion rates by up to 200%. But creating an effective higher education website isn’t easy. What is it about? It’s about balancing modern, attractive design with functionality, accessibility, and the ability to tell your institution’s story in a way that resonates with multiple audiences. A good example? Harvard University’s website. With its intuitive navigation, bold visuals, and clear calls to action, it’s a masterclass in user experience and one of the most visited higher education sites. So, how do you create a website that attracts the best minds of Gen Z (and, soon enough, Generation Alpha) while meeting the needs of your current students and stakeholders? As a reputable education portal development company with years of experience in the EdTech industry, we always keep our finger on the pulse to keep abreast of the latest developments and trends and provide our clients with the best results. Today, we will share our experience and knowledge to introduce you to this year's top trends in higher education website design and provide some practical expert tips to help create a website that not only keeps up with today's tech-savvy students but actually boosts your institution's reputation and gets people excited to be a part of it. Let’s dive in. Simplified User Experience The perfect user experience forms the very foundation of any successful higher education website, guaranteeing that visitors are able to navigate with ease. Websites should be focused on prospective students who seek information regarding admission requirements, program details, and available financial aid. Simplified UX includes: Streamlined navigation: Since most users are looking for specific information - about admission, courses, or campus life - an intuitive search bar and well-organized main menu are essential. These features should quickly connect users to their desired content without unnecessary clicks. Clear calls to action: You create a website for a specific purpose, right? Encourage visitors to take the action you want, such as applying, visiting, or donating. Mobile-friendly design: More than 60% of users browse websites on mobile. Emphasize responsive design to meet the needs of your future students, who mostly use their smartphones to surf through various websites. Responsive design means your site looks great on any screen size. Inclusive Language and Visuals To appeal to multiple audiences higher ed websites should use inclusive design elements. Avoid stock photos and instead feature authentic videos and images of students interacting, learning, and participating in campus life. Let your website show your diverse and welcoming community. Also, use language that speaks to diverse student groups. For example, Princeton University’s website does this well so audience members see themselves in the content. Another tip from our experts is to make sure that text and multimedia elements are accessible to users with disabilities. Features like alt text, high-contrast color schemes, and keyboard navigation improve usability for all site visitors. Interactive Experiences Imagine yourself in the shoes of a pontificating student. Which website would attract you more and grab your attention: the one we are used to, static and with a lot of mixed information, or the one that gives you a sense of engagement at first glance with a variety of interactive elements? The second option seems to have a better chance of getting your cherished “I want to go to this college!”, right? Features such as virtual campus tours, interactive maps, 360° panoramas of student spaces, infographics, and interesting video testimonials can impact how a prospective student perceives an institution. Your website can be not only one of a kind but also leave a lasting impression and significantly influence students' decision to apply to college. These features give a peek into campus life and help students see themselves as part of the community. They also allow higher education institutions to showcase their unique offerings – from facilities to academic programs – in a fun and interactive way. Ohio Wesleyan University, for example, increased prospective student engagement with immersive virtual campus tours.