Hinds Community College – Episode #87
Site Scores:
| Site | Visual | Information | Code | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hinds Community College | 63 | 60 | 45 | (168/300) 56% F |
Today’s Tip:
When your site does not respond when a user clicks a link its like you have a prospective student about to walk in to your admissions office but the door is locked. Imagine how frustrating that would be, you want to ask questions, start registering and pay money but you locked the door in their face. Make sure your web server is up and running at all times and responding quickly.
(Bonus) Make sure all your academic programs have links back to more information. Image going to the library, asking for a book and all the person or computer can tell you is “yes we have the book” but nothing else. That would be very frustrating to now have to go off on your own and find the book without directions.
Site Links:
- Wormly – Web Site Monitoring
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Tags: episode
May 26th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Are you referring to dead links, or poor server access? Please elaborate on your failing marks given, and let us know how to achieve excellence according to your EDU Checkup grading scale.
Regards,
BvF
May 26th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Oh, thanks for the review!
May 27th, 2009 at 7:20 am
Barin,
In the episode I am referring to the slow response from the server. I don’t think I found any actual broken links.
The EDU Checkup grading scale is based completely on first impressions from a first time visitor. I don’t visit or preview any of the sites that I review. I look for right off the bat first visual impressions, then look for the program listing, randomly pick a program and see what information is provided about it. I then assume I want to apply and figure out how easy it is to apply from that program page. Lastly I look at code, how valid is it, how light it is, how accessible it is.
The key to getting a good score is to be engaging visually, have a clear path to your programs and information, make applying clear then having clean accessible code. Bonus points are given out to creative design, information architecture and overall feel of the site, I (as a first time user) love to be pleasantly surprised.
Remember this is just a 10 minute first time look, nothing in depth, I often miss things (like any first time user would). If you wanted my to actually analyze your site/pages in depth just send me an email and we can set something up for your university (nick@educheckup.com)
May 27th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
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