August is always a busy time for Silverpoint and it shows with the number of projects that launched. Over the past month Silverpoint has launched 12 new or redesigned websites and want to show off a few features that help these schools achieve their web strategy goals.
A new trend that a lot of schools have adopted is the oversized homepage slideshow. By capturing your audience from the moment they access the site, they are instantly catapulted into what it's like to be a part of the school's community. Maret and Norwood are great examples of an oversized homepage but Wesleyan School takes it one step further. The homepage is not just a slideshow but it also utilizes a fixed anchor navigation on the sidebar. This allows users to scroll down though the page to access additional information including key differentiators like the Success Stories.
Other ways to capture your audience from the start is to include an interactive portion of your homepage. Moving parts and interactive features help create an experience on a website so it isn't just a viewbook. Users want to interact with content on websites and this is a great way to give them the ability to do so. It can be something simple like how Notre Dame Academy included a flip banner that gives audiences easy access to view more information about the school. Something more intricate like Evangelical Christian School's fun interactive grid layout, featuring a couple of synchronized slideshows that engage prospective families while News and Events slides open to reveal information for current families. Schools have a great new tool to express their identity and tell their unique story in a fun way.
Beyond good design, many of our recent launches have taken advantage of features and tools including homepage quick links, campus tours, mash-ups and alumni centers to enhance the user experience. Le Lycee Francais De Los Angeles stands out in their use of quick links on their site as a fixed set of buttons on the right sidebar. This unique implementation gives users easy access to dual language support, contact information, inquire now form, and social media links. The Paideia School connects with their alumni with an alumni center to highlight what their alums are involved with and how they are succeeding in their careers. A dual purpose design promotes student success after graduation, and draws alumni back to the site to be an active participant in the school community.
All the sites Silverpoint has launched over the past month have surpassed expectations and truly differentiate them from their competition. Congratulations to:
To view a complete list of our recent launches please visit our website at www.silverpoint.net.