A family is exploring options for their child's education, and they stumble upon your school's website. What impression does it leave?

A smooth user experience can make all the difference in capturing a family's attention and, ultimately, their decision to inquire.

If the admission and enrollment pages of your school website need a major overhaul, it might feel like a Herculean task, but it's all about breaking down those big initiatives into smaller, manageable steps. By dividing your school website edits into tiny, bite-sized daily tasks, you can create a memorable and positive experience for prospective families, sooner than you think.

From revamping your tuition page and introducing your admissions office, to personalizing your communications and nailing those nurture email campaigns, with the right approach, you'll soon see how even small changes in your enrollment strategy can lead to improving enrollment and creating an improved user experience. Remember, a streamlined enrollment process begins with that perfect first impression!

The Ultimate Enrollment Planner puts together daily tasks for the crucial areas of your admissions web pages and your school's enrollment experience that deserve your attention. Whether you're just starting in admissions or you're already an enrollment expert, these guided updates will help you tackle one critical area at a time, including:

Your tuition page

Nobody likes surprises, especially when it comes to tuition. Make sure your tuition page is clear, concise, and easy to find, especially on a mobile device. Include a breakdown of costs, payment options, and any available financial aid or scholarship opportunities. Transparency is key to building trust with prospective families — and don't forget to show the value of an investment!

Personalized admissions communications

Show families that you care by personalizing your communications. Use their name, acknowledge their unique circumstances, know their passions, and make them feel known. And whether you leverage your admission forms or your school's enrollment management system to collect that information, you'll be one step closer to developing those important relationships.

Prepping your admissions calendar

Help families stay on track by providing a comprehensive admissions calendar. Include important dates like application deadlines, open houses, and revisit days.

Introducing your admissions staff

Families want to know who they're dealing with, so introduce your admissions team with engaging staff bios and photos. Encourage prospective families to reach out with questions or concerns, making it clear that your team is here to help from start to finish.

College acceptances/alumni pages

Showcase your school's success stories! Create dedicated pages that highlight the achievements of your alumni and current students. Share quotes, photos, and compelling stories that demonstrate the value of the education your school provides.

The “thank you” page

Don't underestimate the power of a heartfelt "thank you!" After a family submits an application, inquiry, event registration — any conversion, direct them to a personalized thank you page. Express your gratitude and tell them what to expect in the coming weeks.

Admission forms

Simplify the enrollment process by streamlining your forms. Make sure they're user-friendly and easy to complete on a mobile device. Minimize the number of fields and offer autofill options when possible to increase your form completion rates.

Admission analytics

Knowledge is power! Utilize admission analytics to gain insights into your website's performance. Track user behavior, identify pain points, and make data-driven decisions to optimize the overall user experience.

Admission SEO

Increase your school's visibility by optimizing your website for search engines. Use relevant keywords, create engaging content, and improve page loading speeds. With a little SEO magic, you'll be able to reach more prospective families than ever before.

Open houses and events

Maximize the impact of your open houses by promoting them effectively across your website. Make it easy for families to register, provide all necessary details, and send reminders leading up to the event. Consider offering virtual open houses as an alternative for families who can't attend in person.

Workflows for admissions

Streamline your admissions process by establishing automated email communications to families. Regular, personalized messages will keep important conversations going, and subtly remind families of everything your school has to offer.

Retention committees

Retaining current students is just as important as attracting new families. Form committees to identify potential attrition issues and address them proactively. Engage with students and families to better understand their needs and concerns, and use that information to enhance the overall school experience.

Key takeaway

Download your free copy of The Ultimate Enrollment Planner and focus on these key areas and more over the course of 60 days. You'll transform your school's website experience, making it more inviting, informative, and effective in attracting prospective families.

Remember, it's all about taking small, manageable steps to make a big impact. Soon, you'll see the fruits of your labor in the form of increased inquiries, streamlined enrollment, and a thriving school community!

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. As Finalsite’s Senior Content Marketing Manager, 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.