WEB Redevelopment Survey reveals it all

INSTITUTIONAL OFFICE – The website of the North-West University’s (NWU) is geared to deliver a new look, experience and enhanced electronic features based on key stakeholders’ needs.

The NWU recently invited its main stakeholders to take part in a web redevelopment survey in order to share their opinions on the current website. The aim of this survey, launched as part of the redevelopment, integration, implementation and management of the NWU’s new website, was to determine how the stakeholders view the current NWU website and what their primary needs are.

Alumni, parents of current students, current and prospective students and staff members from the Institutional Office and the Mafikeng, Potchefstroom and Vaal Triangle Campuses took part in the survey. A total of 901 responses were recorded. The stakeholders shared their opinions, experiences and frustrations regarding a wide variety of topics.

Some of the findings of the survey included the following:
• Respondents felt that the information they are looking for is sometimes available on the NWU website, but that the information is old, lacking in certain areas or difficult to access, because there is no logical structure or sitemap
• The navigation of the current website needs to be improved – it is sometimes difficult to find information due to too many links or clicks
• Links should be more visible, user-friendly and logically grouped
• What respondents would like to see most on the new, revamped NWU website are an events calendar and a chat room
• Respondents would like to have all degrees, courses and programmes offered by the NWU grouped together to facilitate browsing
• Respondents would like to have full information about each degree, course or programme offered by the NWU, including a brief description, job opportunities within a specific study field, costs, duration, application and registration requirements, etc.
• The opportunity to apply for admission and register online is extremely important
• They want better online financial and administrative systems for online statements and records
• A ‘who’s who’ database of academic and administrative staff, including their contact details and a brief summary of their responsibilities should be included
• The design and ‘look and feel’ of the website need to be improved
• Different portals should be available for prospective students, students and alumni

Now that the results have been scrutinised, the next step is to develop a project plan with target dates to steer the structural design and content definition, web design, implementation, deployment and testing before the final launch of the new and improved NWU website.

Keep an eye on the landing page for more information on the web redevelopment process.