(aka St. Clair College) is a website I find myself on most of the time as a student, although I wouldn't say it is my favourite- or really even close for that matter.
First lets start with the pros:
The college website is successful in showing its 'artsy' and creative side- which highly appeals to me. The colour scheme is consistent and the viewer is able to recognize this green as the schools colour. The website template used works well and is easy to navigate throughout all the various pages.
I noticed recently they created a banner on the right side of the screen that changes every few seconds to show different events and other content that may relate to the student or viewer. Here they invite viewers to take place in the schools contests to win an iPad (a great idea considering the hype of iPads these days) as well as joining their Facebook group as a way of becoming more viral among the social network.
Another great idea I see in the site involves its navigation menu. By stating areas for different individuals such as "For students,"
"For Parents" "Allumni" and "College board and Staff" a viewer can make an easy choice as to decide what pages they will visit, therefore not wasting their time with pages that won't pertain to the viewers interests.
On with the good...in with the bad.
While the site is visually appealing (as I said before) St. Clair does a horrible job in keeping up to date. The visuals on the homepage is the same as when I first enrolled at the college. The same people doing the exact same thing every time! They should mix it up a bit and add different graphics- maybe something that actually relates to school, like students at the school or the different campuses- something that will relate more with the target then a bunch of people posing.
I also went on other college websites. Senaca college has other sections and editorial content such as news. This creates more interaction with the viewer and holds them onto the site longer. St. Clair could do something like this. They could also expand on the advertising of the college to potential students since they are kind of like a "brand." They have competition...they have strengths...and they have to sell themselves, so why not?
Another faux paus I see with this site is that if you came on to find something in particular...you're in trouble. There have been a few instances where I couldn't find what I was looking for and ended up having to ask another student for help- and I became really frustrated. You would think "Opt out Cheques" and grad photos would have a somewhat high importance to be displayed somewhere in the home page. Not in this case. But thankfully my friend found it =)
Visit the St. Clair college website at www.stclaircollege.ca and let me know if you have my back on this.
Hahah. I like that you chose St. Clair's website Sam... since we find ourselves on it everyday!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you - Opt out cheques should have a HUGE headline right on the front page. I searched the entire website and still never found it - I had to ask someone for the link to complete the opt-out cheque form! How annoying.
I agree that the images are out of date. In fact so out of date that they are still using my brother to advertise the College and he graduated almost 4 years ago. I wish they would take his image down since every time I have to go to the main campus I see his face as I drive in from Huron Church. I believe they should update and keep current. They should link the college's paper "The Saint" some where on the page to keep students connected. Maybe hire some advertising students and graphic designers to create a better site?
ReplyDeleteSam you couldn't have said it any better! I am in complete agreement with you. St. Clair website most definitely needs a face lift! When i first started coming to this school about 5 years ago, they didn't have their website as well as it is now. However, like you said Sam, keeping it updated and relating to the students now would be best for students to want to go on this site not just to find out what their homework is on Blackboard. The one thing you mentioned about the trying to find stuff on this website is also true. They have a search bar on the left hand bottom corner that does what? NOTHING!!!! as you said, you type in Grad Photos and guess what comes up ... TABLE OF CONTENT .... grad fees nothing i'm looking for not even close.
ReplyDeleteI rate this website as ... get a face lift!
Samantha :) the St. Clair website completely needs a facelift..a little botox here a little there wouldn't hurt anyone. I find the site contains way to much information in a very confusing layout. They need to simplify it more to apply to the user which is the students. Maybe they should have conducted a focus group before hand on this?
ReplyDeleteJeff