Blog
Information to help your organization make a difference.
Our blog delves into the technical, tactical, and inspirational ways to tell your stories beautifully and successfully.
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Google 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,…
Design 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…
Our School 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…
How to Optimize a Silent Background Video for Your Website’s Hero Area
Adding a silent background video to your website’s hero area can elevate the user experience, providing a dynamic and visually engaging introduction to your site. However, optimizing the video is crucial to ensure it enhances your website without negatively impacting performance. In this post, we’ll cover the ideal video size…
Reaffirming Our Mission
At Design TLC, we stand for social justice, equality, inclusion, and human rights. We are committed to action beyond words. Through pro bono services, donations, and partnerships with organizations promoting social justice, we strive to support systemic change. Listening, learning, and taking meaningful action are central to who we are.
Design 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…
2024 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…
The 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,…
Sitemaps: Simplifying Website Navigation for Nonprofits
In today’s digital world, a nonprofit’s website is its front door. It’s where potential donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries first interact with the organization’s mission and values. Yet, even the most compelling website can lose its effectiveness if visitors struggle to navigate it. This is where sitemaps come into play. They…
Website Redesign Checklist: A Guide for Independent Schools
A well-designed website is crucial for independent schools, serving as both a digital front door and important communication hub. Whether you’re aiming to improve user experience, reflect updated branding, or better engage prospective families, a successful website redesign involves careful planning and execution. This comprehensive checklist will guide independent schools…
Understanding WCAG Guidelines: Creating Accessible Websites for All
The internet is an essential part of everyday life, providing access to information, communication, education, and services. However, for many individuals with disabilities, navigating the web can be challenging, if not impossible, without accessible design. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) offer a comprehensive framework for creating websites that are…
Streamlining Enrollment Management through Website Integration with CRMs
In the competitive landscape of education, effectively managing student enrollment processes can make all the difference for schools looking to attract and retain students. Traditional enrollment methods often involve paper forms, extensive email chains, and manual data entry, which can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities. This is where integrating…
Measuring Website Success: Key Performance Indicators for Nonprofits
For nonprofit organizations, a website is more than just an online presence; it’s a critical tool for engagement, awareness, and action. But how do you know if your website is actually supporting your mission and goals? Measuring website success involves analyzing specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that reveal how well…
Design TLC Wins Gold in the MarCom Awards for The Winsor School Website!
We are thrilled to share that Design TLC, in collaboration with E&A Co., has won a MarCom Gold Award for our work on The Winsor School website! 🎉 This prestigious honor is a testament to the creativity, design excellence, and technical expertise that went into this project, and we are…
Google Analytics: Unveiling Insights for Nonprofit Websites
Data-driven decision-making is essential for websites, and Google Analytics stands out as a powerful tool that can help nonprofits refine their online presence and boost engagement. By unraveling website traffic data, user behavior, and content performance, nonprofits can make informed choices that align with their mission and optimize their impact….
Optimizing Website Navigation for Improved User Experience
Website navigation is one of the most critical components of any online platform. For small schools and nonprofits, it shapes how users-parents, donors, students, and community members-interact with and explore your site. Clear navigation helps these organizations convey their missions, provide essential information, and encourage engagement in a user-friendly way….
The Art of Calls-to-Action (CTAs): Driving Engagement for Nonprofits
One of the main goals of a website is to drive user engagement. For nonprofits, this engagement can take many forms-donations, volunteer sign-ups, newsletter subscriptions, or event registrations. Each of these actions is critical for the organization’s mission and success. The linchpin to ensuring this interaction happens is a well-crafted…
The Role of Visual Branding in Nonprofit Website Design
As a nonprofit organization, every message counts, and every connection with a potential supporter can be the difference between making an impact and falling short. Visual branding plays a crucial role in making these connections more meaningful and long lasting. It is the first impression a visitor has when they…
Staying Updated and Secure: Design TLC’s Commitment to Your WordPress Website
At Design TLC, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of the ever-evolving digital landscape, particularly when it comes to WordPress. Recently, the WordPress community has been abuzz with news surrounding a public dispute between Automattic’s CEO, Matt Mullenweg, and one of its long-standing clients, WP Engine. While this…
The Power of Storytelling in Nonprofit Website Design
It is important for nonprofit organizations to create compelling websites that communicate their mission, engage supporters, and inspire action. While data, facts, and statistics are essential, they often fail to move people emotionally. Storytelling, on the other hand, has the unique power to humanize causes, bridge connections, and build empathy….