A school website redesign is one of the most high-impact and emotional projects you’ll take on. It’s where your story gets told, your community finds answers, and your mission is introduced to the world. But before you even talk colors, content, deadlines, or layout, one decision can make or break your success: Who’s on the redesign team?

You might assume, “I’ll just manage this myself, it’s easier that way.” Famous last words.

But you’re not doing yourself (or your school) any favors by going solo. Eight months later, you're stressed, burnt-out, your family misses you, and your deadline have come and gone...

A successful school website redesign needs more than a single perspective and one brain. It needs a small but strategic group of people who each bring something valuable to the process.

Start with a Strong Project Lead

You’ll need someone to coordinate timelines, keep meetings on track, gather feedback, and serve as the main point of contact with your school website company. Often, this is someone in marketing, advancement, or communications, but what matters most is that person's ability to take charge.

That person, most likely, will be you, but don't worry! Even if you've never done this before, you don't need to be a technical expert, you just need time carved out in your schedule and support from leadership.

Download Your Free Copy: Who Should be on a School Website Redesign Project?

Your Marketing and Communications Team

These are your storytellers. They know how your school shows up to the community, like on social media, in newsletters, and through your branding and marketing materials. They’re tuned in to what matters to both prospective and current families, and their input will help shape everything from homepage messaging to content structure.

Even if that “team” is one person wearing several hats, their voice is essential in shaping a site that reflects your school’s identity.

Admissions and Enrollment

Families often visit your website before they even visit your campus. Your admissions team hears firsthand what questions parents ask, where confusion happens, and what drives a decision to inquire or apply. Their insight can help streamline calls to action, forms, and user journeys, so families don’t have to dig for information.

Leadership Support

Your site is a reflection of your school’s mission, priorities, and goals for the future, so including someone from your leadership team (like a superintendent, head of school, or director of advancement) helps your project stays aligned with larger initiatives and secures buy-in for key decisions, and of course, the budget.

Keep Reading: How Much Should a School Website Redesign Cost?

Technology & IT

You don’t need your tech team to lead the redesign, but including them early in discussions is a good idea. They understand integrations, security, data privacy, and access needs—everything you don’t want to be figuring out in the weeks or days leading to launch.

Voices from the School Level

Bring in someone who uses the website regularly and hears directly from families, like a front office staff member, a school-based communications contact, or even a teacher who updates their own page. They’ll bring a practical lens to what works, what doesn’t, and what would actually make their jobs easier.

Who Else?

Building a strong website starts with building the right team. And while that doesn’t mean including everyone, it does mean thinking strategically about who brings the insights and experiences you’ll need.

Want a detailed breakdown of each role, including inspiration from other schools and tips for building your redesign team?

Download the full guide: Who Should Be on a School Website Redesign Project?

This free resource walks you through each role, when to bring them into the process, and how to keep your school website planning focused and efficient.

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.