Case Study: Website Transformation at Benedictine University

Background

Benedictine University faced several challenges with its outdated website. The site suffered from poor navigation, low accessibility, subpar SEO performance, and a dated design that failed to engage modern users. Recognizing the need for a comprehensive overhaul, I led a project to redesign and restructure the website, with a focus on improving user experience, accessibility, and SEO.

Objectives

1. Enhance User Experience: Improve navigation and overall user interface to make information easily accessible.

2. Boost SEO Performance: Implement SEO best practices to increase organic search traffic.

3. Improve Accessibility: Ensure the website complies with WCAG 2.1 guidelines to make it accessible for all users.

4. Modernize Design: Update the website’s look and feel to reflect the university’s brand and appeal to prospective students.

Approach

1. Website Redesign and Restructure

– Old Website: The old site had a cluttered design with inconsistent navigation and a lack of visual appeal.

– New Website: We implemented a clean, modern design with intuitive navigation, clear calls-to-action, and a cohesive visual identity that aligned with the university’s brand.

2. SEO Optimization

– Old Website: The old site had minimal SEO optimization, resulting in poor search engine rankings and low organic traffic.

– New Website: We conducted a comprehensive SEO audit, optimized on-page elements (meta tags, headers, alt text), improved site speed, and implemented a content strategy focused on target keywords. This led to a significant increase in organic search visibility and traffic.

3. Accessibility Improvements

– Old Website: The old site was not compliant with accessibility standards, creating barriers for users with disabilities.

– New Website: We ensured compliance with WCAG 2.1 guidelines by adding alt text for images, improving color contrast, and ensuring keyboard navigation compatibility. This made the site more inclusive and accessible for all users.

4. Technical Enhancements

– Old Website: The old site had slow load times and was not mobile-friendly.

– New Website: We implemented responsive design techniques to ensure the site worked seamlessly on all devices and optimized the site’s performance, resulting in faster load times and improved user satisfaction.

Results

– Increased User Engagement: The new design and improved navigation led to a 35% increase in page views and a 25% decrease in bounce rate.

– Higher Search Rankings: SEO enhancements resulted in a 40% increase in organic search traffic and higher rankings for target keywords.

– Improved Accessibility: The website now meets WCAG 2.1 standards, providing a better experience for users with disabilities.

– Enhanced Mobile Experience: The responsive design led to a 50% increase in mobile traffic, reflecting the growing trend of mobile users.

Conclusion

The website transformation at Benedictine University successfully addressed the shortcomings of the old site, resulting in a modern, user-friendly, and accessible platform that effectively supports the university’s goals. The improvements in SEO and user engagement have had a lasting positive impact on the university’s online presence.