The web design and user experience of a website are of extreme importance in consolidating digital marketing strategies.
Paying attention to the user experience when browsing the educational institution's website can improve your visibility in the digital universe, as well as attracting more visitors and, consequently, capturing more leads for the increased conversions.
In today's article, we're going to talk about the importance of web design and user experience for higher education institution websites.
What will be covered in this post:
- What is user experience?
- The importance of web design
- How to build a successful website for your educational institution
Grab a cup of coffee and get ready for an enlightening read!
What is user experience?
A trending expression these days, it is used especially among digital marketing and web design professionals.
To contextualize, in the 90s, Donald Norman, at the time, vice president of Apple's advanced technology division popularized the term “UX”, which in its literal translation means user experience.
In other words, the experience provided to the customer when using a brand's product, service or system. Currently, she represents the real brand experience with a consumer.
If you want to delve deeper into the topic, Don Norman explained what he thinks about the term “UX” at a conference on the topic in the United States.
In 2024, Don Norman launched the Don Norman Design Award and Summit (DNDA), an international program that promotes the development of humanity-centered design projects.
The event highlighted the importance of design approaches that consider not only the user experience, but also the social and environmental impacts of proposed solutions.
This initiative reinforces the evolution of the UX concept towards a more comprehensive approach, known as "humanity-centered design."
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The importance of web design
Fundamental part of extreme importance in educational marketing strategies, Web Design goes beyond making it easy to navigate a website, whether on a smartphone, tablet or desktop. The web design provides solutions linked to conversion of users into leads and consequently, into new registrations.
It is through him that the communication with consumers of the educational institution will be more objective, friendly and easily accessible. Anyone who thinks that web design involves just selecting fonts, colors and a beautiful layout is wrong.
In addition to the harmony of graphic elements that provide good brand perception, web design is capable of generating more leads thanks to good usability and conversion practices.
The ideal web design harmonizes creativity, intelligence and technology, considering that ranking, usability and visual identity are connected to achieve the best results.
Caption: UX planning and design for educational websites: visual strategies focused on user experience.
How to build a successful website for your educational institution
The real reason why some educational institutions invest in constant improvement in the user experience is clear: increased conversions and better perception of the product or service offered.
When developing or evaluating an existing website, it is important to ask whether the site really adds value to the user, whether it is easy to find information, whether navigation is simple and whether it is responsive.
In the year 2004, Peter Morville, specialist in information architecture published the main factors that influence UX.Below, we present the special “User Experience hive”:
Legenda: The seven pillars of user experience: a truly valuable interface needs to be useful, usable, desirable, accessible, reliable, findable, and relevant. Image source: semanticstudios.com
He managed to translate different connected purposes of usability and web design. Check below in a summarized way and guarantee a successful website for your educational institution:
- UTILITY: find creative and innovative solutions that are useful to the user; a website with purpose;
- USABILITY: Usability goes beyond the ease of navigating an interface.
- DESIRE: efficiency and branding must be in balance.
- FINDABILITY: the distribution planning of the website's content in each section must be strategic so that the user can easily find the information;
- ACCESSIBILITY: ensure that users with vision, hearing or learning problems have the same navigation as others;
- CREDIBILITY: provide real information suitable for the purpose of the service or product;
- VALUE: add value to the user, satisfying their needs.
Since its introduction in 2004, Peter Morville’s UX Honeycomb model has remained a go-to reference for design and user experience professionals.
Recently, the framework has been adapted by several institutions for specific contexts, such as online learning.
or example, the University of Waterloo developed the UXDL Honeycomb, a version of the model applied to online course design, emphasizing the creation of valuable, student-centered learning experiences.
Summary: Web design and UX are essential for educational institution websites. With intuitive navigation, accessibility, and user focus, it's possible to attract more visitors, generate leads, and boost enrollments. Applying principles like usability, utility, and value enhances user experience and strengthens the institution’s digital presence.
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How to transform your institution’s website with strategic UX and web design
What is UX and why does it matter for educational institutions?
UX (user experience) reflects how users interact with your site. When well implemented, it enhances navigation, strengthens brand perception, and increases the likelihood of turning visitors into students.
How does web design help attract and convert students?
Effective web design organizes content, improves usability, and reinforces your institution’s identity. It guides users through a seamless journey, helping generate more leads and drive enrollment.
What pillars support a strong user experience on education websites?
The seven UX pillars are: useful, usable, desirable, findable, accessible, credible, and valuable. These guide the creation of user-centered interfaces optimized for performance and conversion.
How can a site be made more accessible for diverse audiences?
Use proper contrast, alt text for images, simple navigation, and screen-reader-friendly elements. These ensure an inclusive experience for users with visual, auditory, or cognitive disabilities.
What current practices improve digital experience in education websites?
Key trends include responsive design, user behavior analytics, and interactive features. These techniques enhance navigation, boost engagement, and improve conversion rates.
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