Characteristics of Good and Poor University Websites

I have been looking at research affirming the importance of college and university websites in establishing the institution’s image, particularly for potential students. Since Degreeinfo is frequented by those of us who have considered multiple options for our education, I decided to see if the research is valid. For my colleagues here who have experience with both good and poor college/university websites, I was wondering if you would tell me:

What are the features of a good university website (i.e. what leaves a good impression and makes you want to stay on the site or find out more about the institution)?

What are the biggest mistakes made by university websites (i.e. what makes you leave the site and go somewhere else)?

Thanks much.

 

Turn offs:

1 - Using stock photos
2 - Having to dig forever to find the tuition
3 - Something that looks like it was put together on a Commodore 64
4 - Using a very obvious online free or cheap template
5 - Too many changes in font or style in an attempt to make it look good. (It usually achieves the opposite effect.)
6 - Pop up windows with a canned picture of an operator that badger me to "Chat with an adviser) that bounce around the screen.
7 - Sites in which the front page reads like a sales pitch rather than an information repository of an institute of higher education.

Good stuff:
Clean, not busy or ridiculously colorful.
Actual photos of the campus, students, facilities, faculty.
No "Enroll today!" pop ups or gliders all over the front page. The school's programs and presentation should be the motivator to get students to enroll or seek more information.
Clearly stated costs for an entire program.

 

OK, I'll bite.

The very first thing that I look for is easy navigation. If I'm on the site to look for costs I don't want to have to go through 50 other screens before I can discover the tuition/fee schedule. If I'm looking for the details of a specific program I want to have huge neon signs pointing the way.

What are the admissions standards - spell it out clearly
What are the required courses (and the electives) for a specific degree - spell it out
What are the policies regarding credit transfer - spell it out
Who are the faculty - make a list

I am not an impressionable 17 year old kid. Pages of photos of stately buildings and green lawns mean absolutely nothing to me. I want to know the graduation rate - what percentage of entering Freshman actually graduate with a degree and I want to know what percentage of those degree earners actually become employed or move on to grad school. I want to know all the usual stuff about accreditation.

Many sites have this info but you have to dig too hard to find it. Some don't have it at all and if you try to find out through telephone or email contact you get the run around or just some sales monkey calling you to take your money. Beyond that I want one other thing. I want full contact info on the person who is the administrative assistant to the Department Head. THIS is the person who knows all the answers and can make things happen.

 

Pet peeve, that I see all. the. time.:
When tuition is buried under "Financial Aid."

 

I'll give you an example of one I like and one I don't like (from schools I graduated from).

First, I have never been crazy about Peru State College's web site. Yes, it's functional and all of the info I need is easy to find, but it sure is ugly.

Peru State College

Next, one of the best web sites I've seen in a long time is Regis University's site (which was recently completely redone). It's easy to navigate, all info is easy to find, and yes, it's gorgeous.

Jesuit University | Top University | Colleges and Schools | Regis University

 

I HATE this. "Tuition and Fees" should have a dedicated page, distinct from the financial aid page. After all, some students do not use financial aid.

 

Like others have said easy to find "Tuition and Fees", clear admissions info, clear degrees/program information, programatic accreditation if any, clear information on DL/online degrees.

I don't want to dig for an hour or download a pdf catalogue to get basic info. Canned photos are not good either nor are constant popup windows.

 

Looks less then professional - Keiser University | Florida Colleges - Universities in Florida
Easy to navigate - University of Florida and here also University of West Florida - UWF and here Florida State College
Do not hide the tuition or admissions.
Other hit on some of the keys like the Chat Operating standing by...like MUST!

 

Why not publish performance data? stuff that is useful in making a decision:
1. Price (easily found);
2. Program & Course Content - texts info - I like to see if the texts are current etc;
3. Performance data as mentioned. I see that Columbia Southern Uni do. Accreditation is not the end of the story for me. I do not really care about the NA/RA debate. I like to be knowledgeable about the institutional performance myself, not depend solely on a third party.
4. More background on lecturers (industry experience, published papers, relationships with other academia etc);
5. Alumni - It is interesting to see if the university has any interest in the graduates after they finish the degree or is it simply a business transaction;
6. Clearly spelt out grievance system;
7. Good information for customer service;
8.Industry/ research relationships, if any;
9. I hate popups that try to coerce me into enrolling. Red flags immediately go up.
10 scholarship information, if any.

I guess I like transparency. I would go for a more transparent college even they didn't have all the ticks than one where the information was not there or not easily found.

 

It used to be so difficult to find the tuition and fees for online programs at Chadron State College. I don't know if they've changed this. I hate when it's hard to find accreditation information. A PhD program I'm thinking about applying to is extremely unclear about its application requirements. I had to email the director for further information and even he was unclear. I think English is his second language. The other programs at the school don't have that problem. The award for ugliest webpage by an accredited college that is not a seminary goes to New Jersey City University.
Homepage - NJCU :: Professional Studies :: Security Studies - NJCU :: Professional Studies :: Security Studies

There was another really ugly website by a school that only focuses on business disciplines, but I can't think of the name right now.

 

This is great stuff and reinforces what I am seeing in the literature and hearing in other circles. However, there are those who are claiming that prospective students are interested only in what degrees and programs are offered and what kinds of financial aid are available, so the university's website should be little more than a glossy ad that provides minimal info, leading the person to contact the institution to learn more. How would you respond to an idea like that?

 

I don't like webpages that are over-laden with graphics, animations, java, and every software bell and whistle. It looks like webpage designers often include all that stuff just because it's available and seems contemporary of something. I find it annoying and distracting, and sometimes it isn't compatible with slow internet connections, older browsers or with some non-computer internet devices.

I don't like webpages that give links for 'prospective students', 'current students' and so on. That just makes me guess which door a particular piece of information might be hidden behind. I preferred the old 1990's practice of putting a menu on the front page with simple links to programs, departments, applications and so on. If things must be done the new way, then include a prominent link on the front page leading to a comprehensive site map.

People have already mentioned the way that tuition and fees are often hidden and difficult to find. (Schools apparently think their prices are embarrassing or something.) I don't like that either.

I like Ebbwvale's suggestion about texts. I'd like to see schools include class syllabi for similar reasons.

If schools are offering DL programs, it would be very helpful to include all sorts of nuts-and-bolts information, like how classes are delivered (recorded videos? live streaming? readings?) and about interactivity with instructors and classmates, computer system and internet speed requirements, how classes are assessed (are proctors necessary?), how frequently required classes are offered, and stuff like that.

If a program requires a student to be familiar with a particular DL software package or something in order to fully access a class, it would be nice to include a simple tutorial for those who are new to it.

 

Well there are two schools that their education is good, but websites look a bit flimsy. My school Penn Foster college I think gives you an excellent education but they have the latest sale at the moment, and to me it makes the school look a bit cheap. The sales or deals on tuition are great for the pocketbook but not so great looking on the website.
The other is CIE-WC which does a similar thing, but not quite in as big a color or in a big banner. CIE-WC's is written very small so its not as bad.
By the way Penn Foster had a GREAT deal going for a few months now that they pay for your last semester. That is a hell of a deal, pay for 3 semesters, the last one is on them. Might sound "different" but its a great deal for the student.
Does anyone have an info on whether an employer cares what the website of a school looks like? Do you think employers in general look up school websites?

 

The most prestigious and ugly one is California Institute of Technology. The most confusing one is Southern Methodist University, Georgetown University is decent, and University of Virginia is outstanding. Also not pop-up chatting, it is annoying.

 

"A glossy ad that provides minimal information, leading the person to contact the institution to learn more." -- that is exactly what I hate about Realtors websites. I want to know the details and I don't want to have to give away all my personal information to get an endless stream of "drip advertising."

The successful university websites should have detailed program requirements and cost. This whole "minimal information in order to do targeted marketing" is just an annoyance.

 

Look how bad the USF computer science site looks.
Department of Computer Science and Engineering :: Prospective Students
Compare the look and feel to the main USF site. The primary navigation doesn't match and is 5-10 years behind the main site.
They also have a large "CLICK HERE TO APPLY" link. I am taking a web design class at USF and one of the biggest no-nos is a link that says "CLICK HERE TO XXX".

 

I see that as a marketing tactic and assume they have something to hide.

 

I grew up not far from there, almost attended and my friend did for a few semesters. It used to be Jersey City State College and did not have the best reputation. I picked DeVry in South Jersey over JCS because it had a better rep!