College's new Web site well received by users
Kat Timpf
Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: News
Hillsdale College's new Web site, launched July 2, attracts a lot of attention, according to college employees in the admissions and external affairs offices.
The new site focuses on prospective and current students, rather than donors, said Stephanie Maxwell, project lead for the Web site redesign.
The site also revamped its navigation, making it easier for visitors to find what they want.
Maxwell also said that external affairs is now responsible for deciding what goes on the Web site.
"The focus is different," Maxwell said. "The old site led with the Imprimis, more of interest to donors and friends of the college. We wanted to make the site attractive to prospective students, faculty and staff, parents and alumni."
Designers had to be careful not to ignore donors' interests while making the site more friendly for prospective students.
"Because Hillsdale is such a unique college, [the Web site] has to serve a lot of functions, [attracting] prospective students [as well as] donors," said Andrea Yeutter, assistant director of admissions.
Maxwell said she has received positive feedback from various people.
"[After the site launched,] I immediately began getting e-mails of overwhelming positive feedback from prospectives, prospectives' parents and students," Maxwell said. "Because friends and donors are supporting the college, they really like the new look, too."
Cindy Wagner, Web manager for the Haworth College of Business at Western Michigan University, is one such impressed prospective parent.
"[I] just wanted to let you know (from one manager to another) that you[r] site looks great. My daughter will enter Hillsdale in August, so I've been on the Web site quite a lot lately. Your refreshed look is great ... Easy navigation, lots of interesting profiles, and all the info I need," Wagner said in an e-mail to The Collegian.
Graduates of the college are also impressed with its new features.
"Most high school students today have used the Internet their whole lives. They expect good looking and easy to use Web pages when they are searching through colleges. The old Web site was drab and uninviting. This is the complete opposite. It makes a much better first impression," said Kira Kolberg '05, in an e-mail to The Collegian.
One of the most important features of the new site that it allows prospective students to personalize the entire site.
Although prospective students have been able to personalize the admissions section to fit their needs for several years now, the new Web site extends that personalization throughout their Web browsing.
"[Prospective students] still have to go to admissions to personalize, but now they have throughout the site news stories, headlines and spotlights that they are interested in," Maxwell said.
For example, if a prospective student indicates an interest in history and football, much of the material on the pages he views is geared towards these interests.
Prospective student Kevin Knight of Boyne City, Mich., said he found the new site additions helpful.
"When I first got on there after it changed, I thought it was harder to navigate, but after I spent a day or two on it [I realized] it was a lot nicer," Knight said.
"It seems more user friendly. Anything you need to find, it's right there. Good job by whoever designed [the site]."
Hillsdale College Collegian, 2007
The new site focuses on prospective and current students, rather than donors, said Stephanie Maxwell, project lead for the Web site redesign.
The site also revamped its navigation, making it easier for visitors to find what they want.
Maxwell also said that external affairs is now responsible for deciding what goes on the Web site.
"The focus is different," Maxwell said. "The old site led with the Imprimis, more of interest to donors and friends of the college. We wanted to make the site attractive to prospective students, faculty and staff, parents and alumni."
Designers had to be careful not to ignore donors' interests while making the site more friendly for prospective students.
"Because Hillsdale is such a unique college, [the Web site] has to serve a lot of functions, [attracting] prospective students [as well as] donors," said Andrea Yeutter, assistant director of admissions.
Maxwell said she has received positive feedback from various people.
"[After the site launched,] I immediately began getting e-mails of overwhelming positive feedback from prospectives, prospectives' parents and students," Maxwell said. "Because friends and donors are supporting the college, they really like the new look, too."
Cindy Wagner, Web manager for the Haworth College of Business at Western Michigan University, is one such impressed prospective parent.
"[I] just wanted to let you know (from one manager to another) that you[r] site looks great. My daughter will enter Hillsdale in August, so I've been on the Web site quite a lot lately. Your refreshed look is great ... Easy navigation, lots of interesting profiles, and all the info I need," Wagner said in an e-mail to The Collegian.
Graduates of the college are also impressed with its new features.
"Most high school students today have used the Internet their whole lives. They expect good looking and easy to use Web pages when they are searching through colleges. The old Web site was drab and uninviting. This is the complete opposite. It makes a much better first impression," said Kira Kolberg '05, in an e-mail to The Collegian.
One of the most important features of the new site that it allows prospective students to personalize the entire site.
Although prospective students have been able to personalize the admissions section to fit their needs for several years now, the new Web site extends that personalization throughout their Web browsing.
"[Prospective students] still have to go to admissions to personalize, but now they have throughout the site news stories, headlines and spotlights that they are interested in," Maxwell said.
For example, if a prospective student indicates an interest in history and football, much of the material on the pages he views is geared towards these interests.
Prospective student Kevin Knight of Boyne City, Mich., said he found the new site additions helpful.
"When I first got on there after it changed, I thought it was harder to navigate, but after I spent a day or two on it [I realized] it was a lot nicer," Knight said.
"It seems more user friendly. Anything you need to find, it's right there. Good job by whoever designed [the site]."
Hillsdale College Collegian, 2007
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