Does your school need a website? What to publish so parents find you

When parents are choosing a school, they search first and phone second. What they see in those few minutes decides whether you get the call.

The pages that matter

1. Home. School name, board, classes, location and one clear way to enquire.
2. About. A short story of the school and a message from the principal. Real photos, not stock images.
3. Admissions. How to apply, the dates, the documents needed. Parents read this page more than any other.
4. Classes and facilities. What you teach and what you have: labs, library, sports, hostel, transport.
5. Fees and payment. How fees are paid and where to find help. You do not have to publish every amount, but say how to find out.
6. Contact. Address, phone, a map and office hours.

Keep it current

An old notice on the front page does more harm than no notice. Pick a person responsible for updating it and give them an easy way to post. This is why a website that is built into the school’s ERP tends to stay fresh: the notice you post for parents can be the notice on the site.

Be easy to find locally

• Create and complete your Google Business Profile with the same name, address and phone number as your website.
• Mention your city and area naturally on the home, about and contact pages.
• Add photos of the building, classrooms and events regularly.
• Ask satisfied parents to leave an honest review, and reply to every review.

Make it work on a phone

Most parents will open your site on a phone, on mobile data. It should load quickly and the phone number should be one tap away.

Build it, or have it built

If you do not have a developer, the school website builder gives you ready templates, one site per branch, and hosting, so you spend your time on the content. Nobody can promise Google rankings, but a fast, clear and current site is the foundation.