Posts by Tara Claeys
Why ADA Accessibility Overlays Are Not the Answer
For nonprofits and independent schools, a website is your digital front door – the place where families learn about your programs, donors make gifts, volunteers sign up, and community members access important information. That is why accessibility matters so much. As we’ve shared in our previous posts on creating inclusive school websites and understanding WCAG…
Read MoreDesign TLC Wins Silver at the 2025 InspirED Brilliance Awards for Website Homepage
We are thrilled to announce that Design TLC has been honored with a Silver Award in the Website Homepage (Enrollment 350 or Fewer) category for our website for Beacon Academy in Evanston, Illinois at the 2025 InspirED Brilliance Awards hosted by InspirED School Marketers. The InspirED Brilliance Awards celebrate exceptional work in private school marketing…
Read MoreHow AI-Driven Search and Mobile-First Behavior Are Changing How Families Find and Evaluate Private Schools
The way families discover, research, and choose private schools is evolving fast. With the rise of AI-driven search tools like Google’s AI Overviews (SGE) and the dominance of mobile-first browsing, your school’s visibility online depends on more than just traditional SEO rankings. Today, it’s not only about showing up in search results. It’s about being…
Read MoreHow Design TLC Websites Drive Measurable Growth for Schools and Nonprofits
At Design TLC, we don’t just design beautiful websites — we build digital tools that help schools and nonprofits grow. Our work is grounded in strategy, storytelling, and measurable outcomes. When our clients share their analytics data with us, the results speak for themselves. Here are a few examples of how our recent website redesigns…
Read MoreGoogle Is Removing School Reviews: What It Means for Your School (And What You Should Do About It)
As of April 30, 2025, Google removed all reviews and star ratings from Business Profiles for K–12 schools. This marks a major shift for schools managing their digital reputation. While Google had quietly stopped allowing new reviews for most schools around 2019, existing reviews and star ratings remained visible. Now, Google is going a step…
Read MoreDesign TLC is Awarded Multiple Gold Medals at the Hermes Creative Awards in 2025
Design TLC is excited to announce that we received two Gold Awards and one Honorable Mention from the 2025 Hermes Creative Awards! We design every website with love and care in order to help small schools and nonprofit organizations better represent themselves online, and we’re proud of each and every one. It’s truly icing on…
Read MoreOur School and Nonprofit Website Pricing
Recently, a prospective client asked me why our websites are priced lower than other website agencies. They had quotes from companies charging twice as much and assumed that meant better quality. This conversation made me realize that it would be helpful to explain how we price our website projects and why our costs are what…
Read MoreHow to Optimize a Silent Background Video for Your Website’s Hero Area
A silent background video in your website’s hero section can make a strong visual impact and set the tone for your brand. But without proper optimization, it can hurt load times and SEO. The key is balancing quality and performance. Here’s how to do it right. Ideal Size and Length for Background Videos Video Settings…
Read MoreReaffirming Our Mission
Design TLC works with mission-driven schools and nonprofit organizations that care deeply about community, access, and impact.
Our values shape how we approach our work, from accessibility and usability to the partnerships we choose and the causes we support. Through pro bono services, donations, and ongoing learning, we aim to contribute positively beyond individual projects.
We believe the best work happens when values and goals are aligned.
Read MoreDesign TLC Joins Blackbaud Partner Ecosystem: A Game-Changer for Schools Seeking Affordable, Custom Solutions
We’re thrilled to announce that Design TLC is now an official Blackbaud Partner! This exciting collaboration brings a powerful, affordable solution to schools and educational institutions using Blackbaud to manage their internal data. With Design TLC’s expertise in creating custom, high-performing websites and our commitment to responsive support, we’re here to help schools get more…
Read More2024 School and Nonprofit Websites: A Year in Review
We always enjoy looking back on Design TLC’s school and nonprofit websites from the past year, and 2024 is no exception. With the launch of 4 new school websites (plus a microsite) and 2 non-profit websites, our dedicated team is proud of the variety of beautiful and functional websites which fulfilled the needs and desires…
Read MoreThe Role of Social Media Integration in School Website Design
An effective school website is a dynamic hub for engagement, information, and community building. Social media has transformed the way educational institutions interact with their audiences, from students and parents to alumni and the broader community. Integrating social media into school websites can be a powerful strategy that enhances communication, fosters connections, and showcases the…
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