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Maintaining and Updating Your School Website

Keep your school’s digital presence fresh, relevant, and engaging by maintaining and regularly updating your school website to ensure it stays at the top of its class.

The Importance of Ongoing Website Maintenance

Your school’s website is more than just an information portal—it’s a living, breathing representation of your institution. Regular maintenance and strategic updates are essential to ensure your site remains a valuable resource for your community and an effective tool for attracting prospective students.

Content Management Systems (CMS)

WordPress
Pros: Highly customizable, vast plugin ecosystem, user-friendly interface
Cons: Requires regular updates, can be vulnerable if not properly maintained
Ideal for Schools of all sizes, especially those needing flexibility and scalability

Silverstripe
Pros: Robust security, excellent for handling complex content structures
Cons: Steeper learning curve, may require more technical expertise
Ideal for Large institutions with complex data needs and dedicated IT resources

Kentico
Pros: Beautiful templates, all-in-one solution, easy to use
Cons: Less customisable, limited advanced features
Ideal for: Smaller schools or those with limited technical resources

 

Building a Robust Foundation for School Websites

The right technology stack is important for creating a school website that’s not only visually appealing but also functional, secure, and easy to maintain. Let’s explore the recommended technologies, CMS platforms, and tools that can elevate your school’s online presence.

Establish a Regular Update Schedule

Create a detailed content calendar that aligns with the academic year.

Implement a User-Friendly CMS

Utilise an intuitive Content Management System that empowers non-technical staff.

Conduct Comprehensive Audits

Perform quarterly content audits and bi-annual functionality reviews.

Leverage User Feedback

Implement surveys and analyse user behaviour through tools like Google Analytics.

Stay Informed About Educational Web Trends

Attend educational technology conferences and follow industry-leading blogs.

Ensure Cross-Departmental Collaboration

Create a website committee with representatives from various school departments.

FAQs about Maintaining and Updating Your School Website

Have questions about maintaining and updating your school website? You’re in the right place! Below, we’ve answered some of the most common inquiries to help you understand the importance of keeping your website fresh, secure, and functional. Learn how regular updates and maintenance can enhance user experience, improve performance, and ensure your site remains a valuable resource for students, parents, and staff.

How often should we update our school website?

While major updates can be done annually, content should be refreshed weekly or bi-weekly to keep the site dynamic.

Who should be responsible for updating the website?

Ideally, a dedicated web team or communications department, with input from various school departments.

How can we ensure our website remains secure?

Regular security audits, prompt software updates, and using reputable security plugins are essential.

Should we redesign our entire website or focus on small updates?

Small, regular updates are generally more effective, with a full redesign considered every 3-5 years.

How do we balance keeping information current without overwhelming visitors?

Focus on updating key areas like news, events, and program information, while maintaining a clean, organized structure.

Can website maintenance improve our school's SEO?

Yes, regular updates and fresh content can significantly boost your search engine rankings and visibility.

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Key Areas of School Website Maintenance

Content Updates

  • News and Events: Weekly updates on school activities, achievements, and upcoming events.
  • Academic Program Information: Semesterly review and update of course offerings and curriculum changes.
  • Staff and Faculty Profiles: Bi-annual updates to reflect new hires, promotions, or achievements.
  • Policies and Procedures: Annual review and update of school policies, particularly for admissions and student conduct.

Technical Maintenance

  • Security Patches: Monthly application of security updates to protect against vulnerabilities.
  • Backup Management: Weekly full-site backups and daily incremental backups.
  • Performance Optimization: Quarterly review of site speed and optimization of images and scripts.
  • Compatibility Checks: Monthly testing across new browser versions and devices.

Design Refreshes

  • Seasonal Theme Updates: Quarterly design tweaks to reflect the academic calendar.
  • New Design Trends: Annual assessment and implementation of relevant design trends.
  • Multimedia Content: Monthly updates to imagery and video content.
  • User Interface Enhancements: Bi-annual review and improvement of navigation and interactive elements.

Functionality Improvements

  • New Features: Quarterly addition of new functionalities based on user feedback.
  • Existing Tools Upgrade: Annual review and upgrade of current tools and plugins.
  • Accessibility Enhancements: Ongoing improvements to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
  • Mobile Responsiveness: Monthly checks and improvements for mobile user experience.
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