Website Redesign: How to Modernize a School’s User Experience
Redesigning an institutional website isn’t just about improving visuals. It’s a strategic process that brings together UX design, information architecture, and SEO optimization to create a platform that is both useful and discoverable. I had the chance to work on espol.school as a Project Manager. I want to give a shout out to the team of MagicMorning who designed and developped of the website as well as Oliwa, the Director of Development and Campus for her advises and support every step of the way.
The redesign of ESPOL’s website focused on three key objectives: improving access to information, structuring content for search engines, and addressing the needs of multiple user groups.
Context: Why Redesign the ESPOL Website?
ESPOL’s website had been online for more than 8 years and no longer met modern web standards. Its outdated architecture made it difficult to scale, while the user experience lacked fluidity, making navigation frustrating. In addition, content was hard to find, and the site suffered from limited SEO performance.
At the same time, the school had evolved. Its growth, the diversification of its audiences, and the introduction of a new visual identity all made a full redesign necessary.
👉 The objective was clear: build a high-performing, scalable, and user-centered website.
User Needs Analysis (UX Research)
A successful redesign always starts with understanding users. To achieve this, workshops were conducted with internal teams, a student survey was distributed, and user journeys were carefully analyzed.
This research phase highlighted several priorities, including:
- faster access to essential information;
- better visibility of the academic offering;
- stronger promotion of research;
- clear guidance for international students.
Information Architecture & SEO
The site structure was completely rethought to serve both usability and search performance. The goal was to improve the user experience while strengthening SEO foundations.
The website was designed as a kind of dynamic encyclopedia, with clear and hierarchical categories, a strong internal linking system, and multiple navigation paths depending on user profiles.
This approach significantly improves SEO by enabling better page indexation, reducing bounce rates, and increasing time spent on the site. Each page is conceived as a potential entry point from search engines.
Web Design: A Modern, High-Performance Interface
The design approach was guided by a simple principle: clarity. The interface is clean and modern, with a clear visual hierarchy that helps users quickly understand where to focus their attention.
The user journey was simplified to reduce friction, making the experience accessible whether the visitor is familiar with the site or not.
Visually, the project combines authentic photography showcasing student life and campus culture with abstract graphic elements inspired by political science. A fluid and colorful palette reinforces the modern identity of the school.
👉 The result is an experience that is engaging, accessible, and professional.
A User-Centered Approach (UX Design)
The website was designed to address the specific needs of each audience, ensuring that every user can quickly find relevant information.
Researchers: Boost Academic Visibility
One of the main challenges was to increase the visibility of research output online. To address this, a dedicated research section was created, along with self-managed researcher profiles that allow academics to update their content independently. The integration of the HAL platform ensures automatic updates of publications, improving both accuracy and visibility.
Students: Simplify Access to Information
Students needed a faster way to access courses and services. The solution was the creation of a comprehensive course catalog, enhanced by advanced filtering options such as year, language, and course type. Combined with streamlined navigation, this significantly improves usability.
👉 The result is a smoother experience with far less friction.
Prospective Students: Inform & Convert
For prospective students and parents, the website had to become a true decision-making tool. This was achieved through SEO-optimized editorial pages, clear and educational content, and a strong internal linking system that guides users through their journey.
👉 This approach is particularly effective for open days and organic traffic acquisition.
International: Optimize User Journeys
International users often face complex processes. To simplify their experience, the interface was designed around an “arrivals / departures” logic, allowing immediate orientation based on the user’s situation.
Information is then delivered in a step-by-step structured format, covering everything from general information to administrative procedures and visas.
👉 This creates an intuitive experience from the very first interaction.
Results: A Scalable, High-Performance Website
The redesign resulted in a website that is user-centered, SEO-optimized, and easy to maintain and scale over time. Beyond aesthetics, it has become a powerful tool that supports visibility, acquisition, and communication.
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