- Content Quality and Relevance
The content on your school website must be informative, accurate, and up-to-date. During the audit, evaluate whether the text, images, and multimedia align with the schoolâs brand and objectives. Does the content serve the needs of students, parents, and potential new enrollees? Is it engaging and informative?
Additionally, check that the website features clear calls to action (CTAs), such as âApply Now,â âContact Us,â or âRequest More Information.â These CTAs guide visitors through the site and encourage them to take the next steps.
- SEO Best Practices
A thorough website audit includes an in-depth SEO analysis. This includes checking for keyword optimization, meta tags (titles and descriptions), image alt text, internal linking, and the siteâs overall structure. Each of these factors plays a role in improving your siteâs visibility on search engines.
For example, use relevant keywords like âbest schools in [your city]â or âtop academic programs for high school studentsâ to ensure your website shows up for local searches. Make sure the site has well-organized headings (H1, H2, etc.) to improve both user navigation and SEO.
- Mobile Responsiveness
More people access websites on their mobile devices than ever before, so ensuring that your school website is mobile-friendly is essential. A website audit should assess the mobile responsiveness of the site. Does the website adapt properly to smaller screens? Are text and images legible without zooming in? Can visitors navigate easily through menus and forms?
- User Interface (UI) and Navigation
Your school website should be easy to navigate. During the audit, check for intuitive design elements such as clear menus, buttons, and links. Is the information organized in a way that visitors can easily find what they need? For example, important sections like admissions, academic programs, and student services should be easy to locate.
The websiteâs layout should be visually appealing and consistent, using colors, fonts, and spacing that align with your schoolâs branding. A clean and organized design makes it easier for users to interact with the site, improving their overall experience.
- Accessibility
A school website must be accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. During a website audit, review the siteâs accessibility by checking for compliance with accessibility standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). This includes ensuring that text is readable for those with visual impairments, using color contrast thatâs suitable for users with color blindness, and ensuring that the website can be navigated using a keyboard for individuals with mobility challenges.
- Security and Privacy
A comprehensive audit will assess the websiteâs security features. Does your site have SSL encryption to protect sensitive information submitted through forms? Are passwords stored securely, and are there regular updates to the siteâs software to prevent security breaches?
Also, review the schoolâs privacy policy to ensure compliance with regulations like GDPR or FERPA. Make sure that your website does not collect unnecessary data, and clearly inform users about the information you do collect and how it will be used.
- Performance and Load Time
Website performance is another critical factor to evaluate during an audit. Slow-loading websites lead to frustrated users, and in the case of schools, this could mean lost opportunities to engage with prospective families or students. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can help identify performance bottlenecks, such as large image files, excessive scripts, or server delays, that may be slowing down the site.
Optimizing the siteâs performance can lead to better user engagement and a more professional online presence for your school.
- Technical Errors
A website audit should also include a check for technical errors such as broken links, missing images, and improper redirects. These errors not only detract from the user experience but can also harm your SEO ranking. Make sure that all links on the site are functional and that users can navigate through the site without encountering dead ends.