University and college dynamics are changing due to digital transformations. They need websites that meet the demands of online space today.
Request For Proposals allows universities to seek partners for a website re-design project. But first, you need to understand an RFP’s purpose.
A higher education website RFP with the right content and approach enables universities to send out complete and detailed information to choose the perfect vendor.
However, a few samples and templates are available online for proposal requests. Still, they don’t seem to speak about your goals for re-designing your university website.
As a higher education institution, you must have a clear website rfp that articulates your needs and generates the best responses from the top higher education marketing agencies.
In this guide, we’ve untapped vital considerations to help your draft an RFP as a starting point for your new website.
Key Considerations When Drafting a Higher Ed Website RFP
Remember, when drafting a request for a proposal website redesign, you are not asking potential partner questions but also stating who you are, what elements are significant for your university and what impression you want to create for higher education lead generation.
Here are some key considerations that you need to keep in mind when drafting a higher education website rfp.
- Choosing the Right CMS
- Project Overview and Goals
- Leveraging Market Research and Engagement Date for Your University Website
- Planning Your Higher Ed Website Redesign: Timeline and Budget Consideration
- Priorities Guiding Your Higher Ed Website Redesign
- Ensuring Success for Your University Redesign Team
1- Choosing the Right CMS
As you begin with an RFP for a website redesign, you must set clear expectations from CMS. Not only does it brings you more leads, but it also streamlines the process. A suitable CMS makes your website redesign process effortless and efficient.
Suppose you are looking for a customized website design. In that case, you must find a CRM that works well with the functionality, has a built-in SEO promotion feature, and helpful plugins for additional optimization.
Here’s a checklist for choosing a CRM for your university website:
- Your goals and budget
- User experience
- Functionality & features
- Integrations
- Scalability
- Analytics
- Vendor Credibility
2- Project Overview and Goals
An excellent website redesign proposal will have upfront, reducing the back and forth.
Determine your project goals to narrow your RFP to the most qualified vendor. Before issuing your RFP, develop a framework to set boundaries and ensure it balances what you’re looking for and how much you can spend.
For example, describe the services you need to achieve your goals, such as student retention in higher education or an increase in enrollment. Highlight the areas you need to work on, provide precise descriptions, and be clear about your timelines..
Exploring Central Washington University’s sample website redesign request for proposal will provide valuable insights into the nitty gritty involved in crafting a comprehensive RFP.
3- Leveraging Market Research and Engagement Data for Your University Website
Digital transformation involves market research and data much more than just technology. It is equally important to develop deep knowledge and leverage market research to reach out to the target market.
Analyzing the market can help you understand where your institution stands. You need to leverage data and analytics to gain insights to accomplish this.
Deciphering what the data tells you and using it to connect with customers. This way, you will be able to reshape the marketing ecosystem for your university website. Robust data analysis will make a drastic impact on streamlining workflows.
4- Planning Your Higher Ed Website Redesign: Timeline and Budget Considerations
A complete website redesign request for a proposal must have realistic timelines for vendors. Everything from wireframing and data migration to content creation requires time, as every task is different and spread between teams.
Incorporate information about your deadlines and reveal your budget to avoid wasting time. The vendor will plan the project accordingly and develop a plan that suits your budget range.
5- Priorities Guiding Your Higher Ed Website Redesign
When writing a website redesign rfp, you must identify elements you prioritize for your university. Share clear and concise information, agree on the direction, and list the possible outcomes you want to achieve.
Here are some tips you can consider while guiding your higher Ed website redesign RFP:
- Look for best practices, standards, and security
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions
- Evaluate vendors in hours, not dollars
FRP must include a detailed description of your target audience, key features, functionality requirement, and branding guidelines for your university that a vendor should follow. It should specify technical requirements such as mobile responsiveness, accessibility and security.
Source: HubSpot
Most importantly, the RFP must request the vendor’s examples/case studies of similar projects.
6- Ensuring Success for Your University Redesign Team
When drafting a higher Ed website RFP, benchmark your performance metrics. As you have already set clear goals, adopted a user-centric approach, completed the wireframe revamping exercise, and created content, ensure your university website layout offers adaptability and resourcefulness.
Make sure you test your website before rolling it out. Website tests can be conducted in person or remotely to identify problems. Observe what your users are trying to click on and what information is placed for them.
For the success of a university website redesign team, it is essential to optimize the website during the testing phase and provide your audience with a seamless experience.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why do I need a Higher Ed Website RFP?
A higher Ed website RFP helps your university evaluate different service providers. This document contains all the essential information that a vendor requires to explore your project.
What is the timelines for a Higher Ed Website RFP?
Your Higher Ed website RFP requires at least two months for a more comprehensive and pragmatic approach. It requires essential information, timelines, budget approvals, task creation, and performance metrics.
Final Words
RFP is a roadmap for your university that defies the value and manifests the direction for the project. Whether you want to increase your enrollments or attract new students, the higher education website rfp will ensure higher ROI. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the outcome you want to achieve through higher education website design.
By drafting a great RFP you can find vendors that perfectly match your university website redesign project. The more detailed and comprehensive your rfp will be, the better chance you have to generate positive responses from vendors.
