Your Website Is Live - Now What?
Having a website is step one. Getting people to visit it is step two. This guide covers practical strategies to drive traffic to your school website and convert visitors into enrolled students.
The good news: most of these strategies cost nothing. They just require consistent effort.
Google My Business
The single most impactful thing you can do is claim your Google My Business listing. This is free and ensures your school appears in Google Maps and local search results.
**How to set it up:** 1. Go to business.google.com 2. Search for your school name 3. Claim or create a listing 4. Add your website URL, phone number, address, hours 5. Add photos (use the same ones from your website) 6. Ask parents to leave reviews
When a parent searches "schools near me," you want to appear. Google My Business makes that happen.
Pro Tips
- Respond to every Google review, positive or negative
- Update your listing with new photos each term
- Post updates about events and achievements regularly
Word of Mouth and Community
In many African communities, word of mouth remains the most powerful marketing tool:
**Empower Parents** - Happy parents are your best advertisers. Give them something to share - a link to the website, a flyer, a success story.
**Community Events** - Host open days, sports events, or community meetings. Mention your website at every opportunity.
**Local Partnerships** - Connect with churches, community centers, and local businesses. Ask them to share your website.
**Print Materials** - Simple flyers or business cards with your website URL can be distributed at markets, shops, and community boards.
**Always include your website address** on every piece of paper that leaves your school: report cards, letters, event invitations, everything.
Keeping Your Website Fresh
A stale website is worse than no website. Keep it updated:
- Update photos at least once per term - Add new achievements as they happen - Update staff information when it changes - Post about upcoming events - Refresh admissions information annually
Contact your FORGE volunteer team when you need content updated. We are here to help maintain your site long-term.
Warning
Never let your website display outdated information (wrong phone numbers, old term dates, staff who have left). This damages trust immediately.
Social Media Strategy
You do not need to be on every platform. Pick one or two and do them well:
**Facebook** - Best for reaching parents. Create a school page, share updates, photos from events, and achievement announcements. Facebook Groups can build parent community.
**WhatsApp** - Create a broadcast list for important updates. Parents already use WhatsApp daily, so your messages get seen.
**Instagram** - Great for showcasing school life visually. Post photos of events, student achievements, and behind-the-scenes content.
**Key Rule:** Consistency beats frequency. Posting once a week every week is better than posting five times one week and then going silent for a month.