4 min read
How to Modernize University Websites for a New Generation of Students
You only get one first impression, and for colleges, that moment happens online. Long before campus tours or acceptance letters, prospective students judge your institution based on your website.
But many university sites still look like they were built in 2009. Outdated navigation, slow mobile loading, and dense blocks of text don't inspire trust or excitement. They frustrate users who are already overwhelmed with applications, deadlines, and big life choices.
Modern students expect sleek design, quick answers, and a site that feels built for them. An outdated website can quietly damage recruitment, retention, and trust. Every update should be shaped by how students think and browse. Universities should look to digital tools students already use, like the clean, intuitive layout of the assignment help by EssayHub.com website, as examples of how to build experiences that are simple, clear, and student-centered.
Forget organizing your site around departments. Students don't think in terms of "Registrar's Office" or "Academic Affairs." They're searching for things like how to apply or how much it costs.
Universities need to reverse-engineer their website structure based on how students move through information. Start with your analytics. What pages get the most clicks? Where are students dropping off? Heatmaps and user recordings help reveal where things go wrong.
Simplify the top-level menu. Prioritize actions like applying, visiting, or getting support. And if your search bar doesn't autocomplete or suggest helpful pages, you're already a step behind.
Navigation fixes that actually work:
Group pages by audience: Prospective, Current, Graduate
Highlight top actions on the homepage: Apply, Visit, Ask a Question
Add a clean search bar that actually works
Test the mobile menu and fix slow or confusing dropdowns
Most students won't visit your website from a desktop. Their first visit probably happens during a bus ride or late-night scroll on their phone. And if your mobile version loads slowly or the layout is broken, they'll leave in seconds.
Run usability tests on real devices, not just in a browser preview. Check how forms behave, how long it takes to load images, and whether text and buttons scale well on smaller screens.
Google's mobile-friendliness test is a great place to start, but real users give better insight. If your core application pages feel clunky or overwhelming on a phone, they won't be used.
Today's students scroll fast, skim hard, and trust images more than paragraphs. If your pages look like legal documents or read like press releases, you're missing the mark.
Every key page should balance words with visuals. Showcase real students, not stock photos. Use short videos, such as campus tours, day-in-the-life clips, and quick financial aid explainers. You can also lean on infographics and icons to make dense info easier to digest. Departments don't need three scrolls of text to say what their program offers.
Modern doesn't just mean stylish. It means usable for everyone. Accessibility features are no longer optional. They're expected by today's users and often legally required.
That means a color contrast that works for low-vision users. Alt text for all images. Keyboard-friendly navigation. Clean font choices. And content that doesn't overload or confuse with academic jargon.
Inclusion also goes beyond code. Use diverse photos and real student voices. Show a variety of experiences, not just the polished ones. That honesty helps students feel seen before they ever step on campus.
Smart features can take your site from functional to engaging. Micro-interactions help users feel guided, like popups offering directions to your admissions office or a chatbot answering "When is the deadline?"
Personalized elements are even better. Show different homepage content based on location or previous page visits. Recommend pages like "How to Apply as an International Student" or tools like a surface area calculator for incoming STEM majors.
Interactive tools keep students on the site longer. Major quiz matchers, scholarship finders, and even campus life preference checklists add value and reduce bounce rates.
Academics matter, but they're not the only thing. Students want to know about life beyond the classroom: housing, dining, mental health, internships, clubs, and community.
Make those pages easy to find. Instead of "Residential Services," just say "Where You'll Live." Instead of "Wellness Center," say "Feeling Stressed?"
Let students speak for you. Include short video testimonials, social media embeds, or candid Q&A sections.
Content that speaks to Gen Z:
Quick guides like "How to Apply in 3 Steps"
Honest FAQs written by current students
TikTok-style campus vlogs or 60-second tours
Simple scholarship and financial aid breakdowns
Clear paths from degree to career
A good website evolves. Set up a simple content review system monthly or quarterly to check for broken links, outdated events, and old images.
Rotate homepage banners seasonally. Feature new students. Highlight upcoming events. Give departments templates so their updates stay consistent with the overall look.
A modern website should reflect a living, breathing campus, not a forgotten brochure.
Modernizing your university website means meeting real needs. Students expect fast answers, clear navigation, and visual storytelling that feels human. Every interaction should help them feel informed, welcomed, and supported.
Investing in your website is investing in the student experience. Start small, build consistently, and treat your site like an active campus space.
I'm Jason, Co-Founder, and Lead Developer at MadeByShape. When i'm not walking my pooch Sully (Or him walking me), you'll find me cycling in the hills, at a gig or starting another DIY project.
