McKenzie Fleeman
mdf001@marietta.edu
Marietta College unveiled the first phase of a new website on Oct. 12. Tom Perry, executive director of Strategic Communications and Marketing Instructor, says that the site was in need of an update 2-3 years ago.
“Probably the biggest reason that we decided to do this was our old site, or part of what our current site is at this hybrid stage, wasn’t mobile friendly or responsive,” he said.
Perry notes that in 2009, this change was not needed because it was not popular to use a phone or tablet to access the website. Over the last few years, tablet and phone usage has become a trend, and the website needed to adapt.
A lot of the changes unveiled during this phase have been aimed toward perspective students. Perry mentioned that if a site is not mobile friendly, it may not show up when a student searches something like “small private colleges in Ohio.” This proved to be a problem that called for change. According to Perry, these changes are not simple.
“To design a site today like we need, it is almost like speaking six different coding languages,” he said.
When working on the website, Perry sought out two experienced companies, KWALL and Acquia. Perry also had feedback from a wide variety of people, including students, faculty and alumni. The next obstacle was the cost. The college is investing roughly $180,000 in this website. The website is a one-time investment of about $150,000 and roughly $30,000 annually.
“When it comes time to redesign again, the investment we’ve made now will make it much less expensive the next time around,” he said.
If you have seen the new website, you have probably noticed the videos that play on the homepage during each visit. Perry mentions that they were looking for something different that not many other schools use.
Since the site is responsive, it is easy to use on a mobile phone. There are many buttons that allow for easy access. For perspective students, there is a place they can go to find the “eight steps to become a Pioneer”.
Perry wants to remind people that the website is being unveiled in phases. He admits that they did not plan to unveil the site until sometime between July and September of 2016, but instead chose to reveal it in phases. Perry hopes that the new website will be ready for the incoming 2016 Pioneers.
“My goal is that by the end of June or July the whole site should be done,” he said.
Elizabeth White, a senior graphic design major at Marietta College, believes that the website is full of potential. White also thinks there is room for improvement, especially in regards to user-friendliness.
White is a peer mentor, and finds it particularly challenging when she can’t find pages such as Records, to help her students develop their two or four year plans.
“While the site is great and the mobile option is awesome, it was rolled out way too soon,” she said. “They should’ve formed the whole website before releasing.”
White worries that since the website is being released in phases, it may not look “put-together.”
Ashley Gerber, a freshman, likes that she can use the website from her tablet. She likes the video that appears on the home page, and thinks that the website has an overall good appearance.
“The new website works well on my tablet, but I wish the current student links were easier to access,” she said.
Dr. McManus, McCoy associate professor of McDonough Leadership and Communication & Media Studies, did not like the website at first.
“When I first saw the website I didn’t like it because it was geared toward outside audience, but then I discovered what my students called ‘the hamburger button’,” he said.
The ‘hamburger button’ that McManus’ students refer to is located at the top right side of the home page, and consists of three vertical bars that lead to quick links.
Professor Smith, instructor of media studies, thinks that the new website will be a great recruiting tool, and thinks that the mobile feature is great for prospective and current students.
In regard to the website, Professor Smith said, “They are absolutely going in the right direction, especially with mobile.”
