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Keeping students engaged virtually through higher education websites has been essential in this chaotic time. Prospective students could still get a feel for campus life with virtual tours, even if they couldn't attend an in-person tour. Your website's blog kept your alumni informed, and your online giving opportunities allowed your donors to continue showing their support.  However, in order to remain competitive, your higher education website must adapt to the changing preferences of prospective students, who are becoming more tech-savvy by the day. For that reason, we have compiled this guide to investigate the most significant trends in the design of websites for higher education that have emerged during the past 12 months. Despite our use of the word "trends" to describe these developments, the truth is that these design decisions for academic websites constitute a sea change in the field. We don't see a future where college and university websites don't prioritize a more personalized, inclusive, and user-friendly experience.  You can stay abreast of the latest web design trends and provide a first-rate digital experience for every visitor if you take the time to learn about this movement.  Ottawa Web Design Company generated amazing web development results but some web designs need more efforts since web development agencies have certified web design specialists so they know their work and create amazing web designs, never settle for other than an award winning web design agency 1. Fine-tuned user interface and flow What makes your university's website user-friendly is the way in which students and faculty engage with it. Under the broader term of "user experience," you can find things like an undergraduate major catalog, a newsletter subscription form, and an online giving page.  Simplifying the user experience is becoming more important in higher education website design in 2022. This will help ensure that all visitors have streamlined journeys. This ensures that all visitors, be they current or potential students, teachers, parents, donors, members of the community, or business partners, can effortlessly locate the information they require.  Take the "I am" drop-down search option found on the University of Arizona's website as an example. Users are directed to a webpage with personalized resources after selecting the most appropriate descriptor.  2. Additional support for students who are underrepresented There has been a recent uptick in diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at universities in an effort to make everyone feel welcome. In the fall of 2021, a survey was conducted among students, and more than half of them reported that they had noticed an increase in diversity on campus. Having said that, further advancements must be accomplished. For this reason, educational institutions have placed a premium on developing simplified user pathways that serve as conduits for information and resources for underrepresented groups, including students of color, LGBT+, students with disabilities, and first-generation college students. 3. Powerful, welcoming images Similarly, there has been a recent trend on college and university websites towards using powerful visuals that showcase a diverse range of students. These photos depict real-life situations on campus or between students. Particularly prevalent are enormous banner images, which can occasionally occupy the whole upper portion of the homepage. Kenyon College's homepage is one such example. A bird's-eye view of a serene studying scene dominates the page. Students can better imagine themselves as active members of campus life with the help of this eye-catching graphic. Additionally, the slimmed-down menu aids in maintaining an uncluttered and simplified first-view of the homepage.  4. Made it easier to use and more accessible All content must be fully accessible in order for a university website to be considered inclusive. If a website is accessible, then people of all ages and abilities should be able to use and understand it. Websites for higher education that are accessible take into account a variety of user experiences when making design and structural decisions. Websites that are accessible provide a pleasant and easy-to-use experience for all users, regardless of whether they have a permanent disability, like color blindness, or a temporary one, like a broken arm.  A good example of a website that satisfies important accessibility standards is the one at the University of Pennsylvania. It has descriptive alternative text for images and sufficient color contrast. The University at Cornell also makes use of alternative text and vivid, contrasting colors.  5. A carefree, lighthearted sound It's often believed that colleges and universities are stuffy, ostentatiously superior, and unapproachable. By portraying themselves as friendly and approachable on their websites and other digital marketing channels, numerous universities are striving to change this narrative.  The tone that numerous college websites have begun to adopt is particularly indicative of this. There will be a lot more lightheartedness and fun on college websites in 2022. 6. Prioritize physical and mental well-being. The mental health crisis among college students has reached crisis proportions in recent years. The pandemic has added a new layer to the crisis of poor mental health among students, which has long been exacerbated by financial worries and school stress. A widespread feeling of loneliness and isolation pervaded campuses as many students shifted to hybrid or entirely virtual class schedules.  Consequently, a significant number of students—30%—reported experiencing depression within the past year, and a majority of college counselors—95%—said that mental health is an increasing concern on campus.  As a result, wellness and mental health resources have become prominent features on university websites. As an example, Georgetown University offers counseling services and resources for mental health to its students, faculty, and staff on their website. Visitors can even find some helpful questions to ask on the page to narrow down their search for resources. 7. Content centered around pandemics Many schools came under fire at the outset of the pandemic for allegedly responding too slowly or providing students with vague instructions. Many universities are now applying stricter regulations after learning their lesson at the start of the crisis. Websites like these serve as excellent means of communication and information sharing, allowing them to keep their communities well-informed.  The university community has access to real-time case-count updates, resources for students and faculty, the ability to schedule tests, and more. Instructions for what to do in the event that someone feels sick or has been exposed to COVID-19, as well as testing statistics, are available on a microsite dedicated to the virus at Rice University. So that students at the University of Pennsylvania have an online resource to turn to in times of uncertainty, the university provides semester-specific guidance.  8. Eliminating shadowy usability patterns Dark usability patterns are sneaky ways to trick website visitors into doing things they didn't want to do, like signing up or buying something they didn't really want. Hidden fees during a donation or checkout process are one example of a dark usability pattern, as are ads that look like regular content or menu items but are actually advertisements. On the front end, these strategies haven't been utilized very often in the realm of higher education. Dark usability patterns, no matter how subtle, are being removed from higher education websites.  Building trust among audience members and providing them with a browsing experience free from sneaky or annoying interface interactions are two benefits of eliminating your site's dark usability patterns. 9. Intimate relationships Microinteractions are the little things that happen on your site and the way it's designed that make a big difference in how engaged your users are. This includes anything from interacting with a detailed infographic to simply hovering over a button and seeing it enlarge or change color.  Consider the delight and contentment you feel when responding to a Facebook post or an animated iMessage on your iPhone. Digital browsing becomes more enjoyable with these small interactions that engage and delight users.  One example of a microinteraction is the rocket ship animation that plays when the "Launch Map" button is hovered over in Rice University's virtual tour. 10. Updating every moment More and more, college and university websites are becoming more than just online brochures; they are also becoming news hubs where students can find constant updates on anything from academic happenings to breaking news.  University websites benefit from elements like news articles, social media feeds, and blog post updates because they demonstrate to visitors that the university is engaged in meaningful conversations and stays up-to-date with current events. The alumni homepage social media feed at Rhode Island School of Design is one such example. Website users now have an easier way to engage with the institution on social media thanks to the feed's integration of recent Instagram posts, which promotes content across platforms.