once upon a time on a dark dreary url

ACCED-I 2014, New Orleans

¡  Does it read like a fairytale? §  Is your website the fairytale and more…

complete with the happy ever after? Is it all too good to be true?

¡  A mystery novel? §  Are you hard to find? Are you still a mystery, even

after you’re found?

¡  A scary sci-fi novel?

§  Is your site so complex to navigate that is comes off as a scary sci-fi adventure?

¡  Or is it a thriller you just can’t put down? §  Hopefully your site is filled with plot and detail that

enthrall a planner to learn more about your campus and the services you offer

¡ Audience ¡ Design ¡ Visual ¡ Content ¡ Technology ¡ Stats

¡  Internal ¡  External

¡  Both

¡ Above the fold ¡ Brand ¡ Options ¡ Response ¡ Template

¡ Above the fold § Area you see on your screen § Most screens --- 15 to 17 inches § Most of the action on your page is

going to happen here §  Include the important stuff

¡  Brand ¡ Options ¡  Response ¡  Template

¡ Above the fold ¡ Brand § Make sure its above the fold § Collegiate brand and

department brand ¡ Options ¡ Response ¡ Template

¡ Above the fold ¡ Brand ¡ Options § Encourage them to interact with

your site §  Internal, external § Meetings, events, camps

¡ Response ¡ Template

¡ Above the fold ¡ Brand ¡ Options ¡ Response § Always provide a way to connect

with you § Submit a request § Contact us

¡ Template

¡  Above the fold ¡  Brand ¡  Options ¡  Response ¡  Template §  Template vs. free design § Ask if you can build your own § Understand the possibilities of a

template

¡  Make it visually appealing ¡  Let your photos tell your story

§  Choose carefully – look at details §  Market appeal §  Human element §  Why is to relevant for a planner? §  Avoid academic focused shots §  Call to order

¡  Video stories §  Short and targeted §  Serious to fun ▪ UC Davis – University Gateway ▪ University of Nebraska – Be Our Guest

¡  Always avoid clutter, focus on conversions

¡  Text §  Keep it simple §  Make it relevant §  Use keyword search terms §  Don’t make it “spammy”

¡  Remember the fold §  Keep primary options above it

¡  Balance - text & visuals ¡  External focus vs. internal ¡  Service provider pages

§  If internally focused, create your own

¡  Must have information (if relevant) §  Meeting/Event space §  Accommodations §  Dining §  Catering §  Services §  Submission Form §  Directions §  Contact

¡  Careful §  Posting pricing §  Policies §  Service provider links

¡  SEO – Search Engine Optimization §  How are you optimized

¡  Google Analytics §  Hits §  Users §  Time on site §  Keywords §  Bounce rate

¡  Title tags and descriptions §  Duplicate content §  Character limits §  Search results

¡  Priority on campus site §  Where are you?

¡  URL - .edu vs. .com ¡  Linking ¡  Social media ¡  Optimize for tablets & mobile use

¡  Kean University §  http://www.kean.edu/conferences/

¡  UCLA §  http://www.uclameetings.com

¡  Georgia Tech §  http://www.conference.gatech.edu

Questions?

Tony McGuirt Unique Venues tony@uniquevenues.com 866-627-8908