The Project
BC Colleges represents a network of institutions that serve a wide range of communities, offering everything from adult education to trades, technical, career, and university transfer programs. The organization provides essential pathways to employment and further education throughout the province. When BC Colleges approached us, their website was struggling under the weight of too much content and a lack of clear messaging. The homepage failed to highlight the strengths of the colleges or explain why students should choose to study in BC.
Key features—like an automated blog plugin and a multi-tier members-only section—were either broken or overly complicated, alienating their core audiences. The goal was to simplify the site, improve user experience, and refocus the messaging around the value of BC Colleges.
Services Utilized
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Strategic Discovery & Planning
We worked with BC Colleges to define goals around accessibility, member engagement, and clear navigation for both public and internal audiences. -
Custom Website Design & Development
The site was designed mobile-first to reflect BC Colleges’ provincial scope, ensuring consistent functionality across all devices. -
Interactive Map & Features
We developed a custom map showcasing member colleges and a randomized “Quick Facts” tool to highlight stats and encourage engagement. -
Members-Only Portal
A secure, multi-level access system lets users view internal resources based on role. -
Content Management System (CMS)
Staff can update content, manage files, and post announcements through a user-friendly backend. -
Blog & News Tools
Rebuilt blog and newsletter tools support regular updates and communication. -
Document & Image Hosting
Easy-to-manage backend tools allow uploading and organizing of shared media and documents. -
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Structured content and tailored meta tags improve search visibility and performance tracking. -
Custom jQuery Enhancements
Lightweight scripting was used to support interactive features while keeping the site fast. -
Visual Enhancements (Including Indigenous Artwork)
Indigenous artwork and cultural elements were respectfully integrated throughout the design.
Results
The redesigned website successfully resolved the major technical and usability issues of the previous version. With a clean layout, targeted messaging, and streamlined navigation, the new site is more accessible and relevant to both prospective students and internal members.
Interactive features like the member map and rotating "Quick Facts" bring new energy to the site, creating a more engaging experience for visitors. The updated members-only area is now much easier to manage and access, improving communication and resource sharing across the network.
