Subtle transitions and animations might not seem like “essential” website design elements at first, but when choosing the look and feel of your school's website, they can significantly impact how users engage with your site.

Every detail contributes to the story your website tells about your school, from the animation of a button to how content is revealed during a scroll. Google Research says users form an initial gut feeling about a website in less than 50 milliseconds, and that snap judgment helps determine whether they stay or leave.

Content and messaging are essential, but those little cherries on top can add something special. The best school websites can transform a simple visit into an experience that captures the brand, spirit, and values of your school. 

Check out these website design features that can improve the user experience and influence how families perceive your school.

School website design features to improve the user experience

To create a website that feels inviting and informative, you'll want to guide visitors from one piece of content to the next—and keep them interested. But remember, these enhancements should feel like a natural part of the design.

Micro-Interactions

Micro-interactions are small, engaging actions that appear when users take action, like clicking a button or moving their mouse over a navigation menu. They add a level of interactivity that makes the website feel more responsive and “alive.” 

These tiny details add a fun, interactive touch that makes the site feel more responsive and connects users to the content. 

Button Animations

When you click on a website button, it sometimes changes color, gets bigger, or shows a little animation. This feedback is important, especially on mobile, because it lets users know the website is responding to their actions.

Hover Effects

Hover effects happen when you move your mouse over different parts of a website, like menu items or images. The item might light up, change color, or show a small pop-up with more information. These effects look great on Iowa City Schools' homepage, but they’re practical, too—they help users see where they can click and what they can do on the site.

Content Layering and Progressive Disclosure

Content layering and progressive disclosure organize information into different layers or levels, revealing more detailed content only as needed. This allows users to explore topics they’re interested in without being overwhelmed by too much information at once.

Instead of showing every single detail, the site will show you just the basics. Then, if they want to learn more about a specific topic, users can click a button, link, or menu item to get more information.

Organize and Elevate a Website's Design

• Accordion Menus: These are sections on a webpage that you can click to expand or collapse. Imagine you're looking for information on school clubs. Instead of scrolling through a long list, you click "Clubs," and a drop-down list appears, showing all the options. Click on one, and you get details about that club. It keeps things tidy and easy to navigate.
   
• Tabs: Tabs work like folders in a file cabinet. Each tab is like a different folder. Click on a tab, and you’ll see all the easy-to-read information. This could be used for different sports teams, where each has a tab with a schedule, roster, and news.
   
• "Read More" Buttons: Sometimes, you'll see a short paragraph with a "Read More" button at the end. If you're interested and want to know more, you click the button, and the rest of the information appears, or you're taken to a landing page or section of the site.

Calling out five major reasons to choose a catholic school would normally take a lot of real estate on a site, but the Archdiocese of LA keeps its supporting content well-organized. Within tabs, users can comfortably browse and absorb each reason one at a time, and a “learn more” call to action lets them explore further.

Design panels, imagery, and social media posts slide into the frame, fade into view, and slowly populate the page as users scroll through Serendipity School’s homepage. It’s not overwhelming, but it creates an immersive experience that allows users to take in the content.

Interactive Maps and Virtual Tours

Reading about a school's great science program or art facilities is one thing, but seeing them can make a difference. Especially important for prospective families who can't visit in person, interactive maps and virtual tours of your campus can offer an immersive experience, and help users get a feel for the campus layout and environment in a way that images and text can't fully convey.

Interactive Maps

An interactive map is one you can click and move around to see different parts of the school's campus. You can zoom in to see where the science labs are, find the sports fields, or check out how close the dining hall is to the library (#priorities). Some maps even let you click on buildings to see photos or learn more about what happens inside.

Take a few clicks around the beautiful campus map of St. Louis University High. A map is a great way for families to learn their way around the school and see how large or intimate it is, and plan their visit.

Rugby School Thailand puts a spin on the campus map by showing distances and commuting times between major cities and its campus — a nice touch to give context for families unfamiliar with its location!

Virtual Tours

Virtual tours let users feel like they're walking around the school. Some are made with 360-degree photos or videos, so you can look around in all directions by dragging your mouse or moving your phone. This gives a real sense of being there and helps families get a feel for your school's vibe.

Personalized Content Recommendations

Personalized recommendations are great because they can help connect users with content that matches their interests without them having to search the whole website.

Adding personalized content turns a “cookie-cutter,” one-size-fits-all webpage into a personal space that feels right for the person visiting.

Durham Academy offers the option to “see yourself” at school via a drop-down menu that serves up content tailored to users' interests. Suggesting specific extracurricular activities, news, or events that align with visitors’ interests can make your website feel more relevant and engaging to individuals.

Seamless Integration of Video Content

Videos can tell stories about your school in a way that pictures and words alone can't. Designing the website so that video content plays a central role in storytelling can captivate users.

If you're building a website, adding videos to your school's site in a way that blends them in smoothly makes it more engaging and informative. The video testimonials on the Woods Academy’s homepage seamlessly share what it’s like to be a part of the school, mixing stories from students, administrators, and teachers with the click of a button.

Key Takeaway

Call it what you will: icing on the cake, the cherry on top, or the pièce de résistance … improving the website design with the latest design elements and interactions can collectively improve user engagement. By making the site more responsive and engaging, you're adding informative, memorable, and tailored content that will 'wow' and meet users' needs.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Connor has spent the last decade within the field of marketing and communications, working with independent schools and colleges throughout New England. At Finalsite, Connor plans and executes marketing strategies and digital content across the web. A former photojournalist, he has a passion for digital media, storytelling, coffee, and creating content that connects.