Slides from a webinar delivered by Eduserv and Sitecore exploring the successful habits of Higher Education websites. The webinar looks at how university websites can effectively communicate to a range of stakeholders and achieve corporate objectives such as student recruitment and alumni retention by using a variety of techniques and technologies, including social media.

1. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Higher Education Websites Jo Bridger, Head of Marketing, Eduserv Chris Vezey, Sales Director, Sitecore

2. About the…… Presenter : Chris Vezey,Sales Director - Sitecore Chris has nearly 30 years’ experience of the software industry beginning his working life as a software developer in Sweden and then Germany. Combining this technical foundation with extended employment with industry-leading organisations like Lotus Development and IBM, Chris has developed a comprehensive understanding of the application of software to solve business problems. Sitecore redefines how organisations engage with their customers online, powering experiences that can sense and adapt to a customer’s needs to increase revenue and customer lifetime value and satisfaction. Sitecore was the first Web Content Management system (WCM) to incorporate marketing automation, intranet portal, e-commerce, Web optimisation, social media and campaign management technologies into a cohesive, integrated open platformmaking it easy for businesses to identify, serve, engage and convert new customers online. Eduserv develops, supports and hosts websites for the public, health and education sectors. We are the UK’s most experienced Sitecore partner and specialise in integrating multiple applications with content management tools to provide enhanced customer engagement and results driven websites.

4. Presence

5. UK, Denmark, USA, Australia, Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Middle East, Ukraine and Japan

6. Stability

7. Profitable since inception in 1999, same owners, same vision and same technology (.NET)

8. Customers

9. Over 2,000 client installations managing over 25,000 web sites worldwide.

10. Microsoft, Lloyds of London, Heineken, MSN, Thomas Cook, ManU, The FA, Cadbury, The Open, Universal, VISA, Carlsberg (probably the best …)

11. Recognised

12. 2010 Gartner WCM Magic Quadrant “Leader”

13. Gartner “Cool Vendor in WCM” 2008

14. Over the years lots of prizes and recognition – e.g. Microsoft ISV Partner of the Year

15. Supported

17. Some Educational Institutions See www.sitecore.net

19. Apply the same rules to your website

21. Most Higher Education Websites are Untapped Resources Higher Education institutions’ websites in the UK have over 30 target markets Alumni Business Partners Media Research Community Prospective students (domestic and overseas) Current Students Recruiters / Future Employers

23. Days

28. No

31. Habit #3 PrioritiseYour Visitors’ Experiences Balance user experiences with website goals User experience must be first priority Create value Provide what visitors need, or what they didn’t even know they needed Benefits Increased retention Lower cost of communication Recruit higher quality students Increase university/college reputation and perception

33. Habit #4 Drive Value for Your Visitors Provide value Drive value; understand what they need and deliver it quickly Demonstrate utility of the information they provide Benefits Creates stronger collaboration Builds goodwill Stronger relationships for increased retention

35. Habit #5 Know where your visitor struggles Examine and evaluate what does not work Find the holes Identify what visitors seek, but can’t find Elicit feedback Offer expertise Benefits Help your students and prospects learn how to engage with you Lower customer support costs Stronger recruiting intelligence Competitive parity or advantage

38. Yes, occasionally

39. No

41. The University of Southern Denmark upgraded its Sitecore CMS in just one week. Having ½ million unique items and 800 editors working on content on a daily basis was no problem.

42. Habit #7 OptimiseYour Website with the Power of A/B Split Testing Marketers love metrics Use test and control mechanisms to analysemarketing effectiveness Learn what is working and what is not Prototype the customer response to new messaging and imagery Benefits Actionable knowledge of what is working on your website A low-cost channel for measuring marketing effectiveness Understand your segments more effectively

44. The Seven Habits Your Visitors Are in Charge Create Goal-Driven Sites PrioritiseYour Visitors’ Experience Drive Value for Your Visitors Know What Your Visitors Want Create a Dialogue with Your Visitors OptimiseYour Site with the Power of A/B Split Testing

45. Putting the Habits to Work Expect more from your website Drive more value by implementing these seven habits CMS Technology can support these goals

46. Thank you for your time! Any questions?