In today’s digital age, an effective online presence is crucial for schools to connect with their communities, showcase their brand, and communicate their values. However, many educational institutions struggle with outdated and cumbersome websites that hinder their ability to engage with stakeholders effectively. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of creating a new school website or updating an existing one, and how our process at MAPS can empower schools to overcome these challenges.
The Steps We Take to Provide a Great Service
Identifying the Need for Change
When a school approaches us seeking assistance with their website, it's often because their current platform lacks intuitiveness, flexibility, or requires expensive technical support. We understand the frustrations associated with such limitations and aim to provide schools with a solution that empowers them to manage their online presence effortlessly.
Personalised Consultation
At MAPS, our director, Emma-Jane, takes the time to meet with school decision-makers either in person or via virtual meetings. This consultation allows us to gain a comprehensive understanding of the school's objectives, values, and unique requirements. By building a strong rapport with our clients, we ensure that our collaboration is tailored to their specific needs.
Gathering Design Ideas
We believe that a school's website should reflect its identity and evoke a sense of pride within the community. During this stage, we work closely with the school to gather design ideas, incorporating their brand elements, colour schemes, and desired functionalities. Our goal is to create a visually appealing and user-friendly website that resonates with the school's vision.
Developing the Look & Feel
Based on the design ideas gathered, we create a prototype or look and feel version of the website. This serves as a starting point to visualise the final product and allows the school to provide valuable feedback on the design, layout, and overall user experience.
Incorporating Feedback & Content
We value the input of our clients, and after receiving their feedback, we refine the website design accordingly. Simultaneously, we work closely with the school to incorporate all provided content, ensuring that the website accurately represents the institution's ethos, curriculum, achievements, and community involvement.
Finalising the Website & Technical Setup
Once the website design and content have been fine-tuned, we assist the school in finding an appropriate web hosting solution. Our technical team takes care of all the necessary setup, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free transition. We understand that schools often lack extensive technical expertise, which is why we provide comprehensive support throughout this process.
Launch & Training
Before the official launch, we present the completed website to the school for their final feedback and approval. Once the website is ready to go live, we provide training sessions for school staff, ensuring they are equipped to manage and update the website independently. These training sessions are recorded to facilitate future staff training or re-training purposes.
Ongoing Support
At MAPS, our commitment extends beyond the launch of the website. We provide continuous support and assistance to schools, addressing any technical issues, software updates, or design enhancements that may be required. We strive to empower schools with the tools and knowledge necessary to maintain a vibrant and engaging online presence.
A modern and intuitive school website is a powerful tool for enhancing education and strengthening the connection between schools, students, parents, and the wider community. At MAPS, we are dedicated to empowering schools to overcome the challenges associated with outdated websites by providing a comprehensive process that prioritizes user experience, design, and functionality. By partnering with us, schools can present their brand to the community in the best possible way and unlock the full potential of their online presence.