Website check

Will Rogers is credited with saying, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." That goes for your website as well. More than likely any interested parent has been looking at your website well before they even call you for a visit. New parents not only look for information about policies and procedures, but also clues about your school culture. They read your weekly newsletters and they look at all the pictures. So when was the last time you checked out your website? And I mean really looked at it with a critical eye. If you can't remember then it's been too long.

Who manages the website for you? Is there a committee? Are various grade levels represented on that committee? What about parents? More than likely you have a parent in the marketing or advertising field. Would it be possible to recruit their help in routinely checking the website and providing feedback? Or what about a parent who always seems to catch the typos on the emails or newsletters sent home? What about putting that critical eye to work in your favor? Ask him/her to check the site every couple of weeks for typos, outdated information, etc.

There also needs to be a routine check on surrounding schools, both public and private. You can also check out schools in other dioceses near and far. Is there a way information is presented on another site that appeals to you? What type of pictures are displayed? If they seem favourable to you, then imitation can be the best form of flattery. If you don't like what you see, hopefully that means your site is on the right track.

This can be a task you can delegate to another staff member who might excel in this area, but if you are a school administrator you still need to be checking now and then to be sure the school's vision is truly being communicated.  If you want more information or tips on maintaining your school website, just let me know.