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Our blog delves into the technical, tactical, and inspirational ways to tell your stories beautifully and successfully.
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Tips for Maximizing your Investment in Professional Photography
We’re excited to share this guest post from Rebecca Drobis of Rebecca Drobis Photography. Rebecca is a Washington DC-based photographer whose images tell human stories. Her photojournalism training instilled in her a keen sense of observation and the ability to capture impactful moments. She is especially adept at building genuine…
Maximizing School Efficiency: A Comprehensive Guide to Blackbaud API Integration with WordPress by Design TLC
The need for seamless integration of technology is increasingly important in the ever-evolving digital landscape of education. Schools can be challenged by managing of vast amounts of data while striving to enhance communication and engagement with students, parents, alumni, and donors. Recognizing these challenges, Design TLC offers innovative solutions to…
School Website Redesign Process: Podcast Episode with Barb Doyle
Fun fact: Tara Claeys co-hosts the Mindful School Marketing podcast with Aubrey Bursch of Easy School Marketing. The podcast brings in guests to discuss a wide variety of topics related to independent school marketing, admissions and enrollment, as well as strategies for mindfulness to make work and life more healthy,…
Navigating Color Contrast for Improved Accessibility in Web Design
In the realm of web design, aesthetics often take center stage. Designers meticulously craft layouts, choose fonts, and select colors to create visually stunning websites. However, amidst the pursuit of visual appeal, one crucial aspect often gets overlooked: accessibility. Web accessibility ensures that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate,…
Inclusive Design Practices: Making Websites Welcoming to Everyone
Inclusive design practices are the key to making websites welcoming to everyone. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of inclusive design, its benefits, and practical tips for creating accessible websites. Understanding Inclusive Design Inclusive design, also known as universal design or accessible design, is an approach that aims…
What Should a School Sitemap Include and What Should be Removed?
A school’s website serves as a vital gateway to information for prospective students, parents, faculty, and the community. An intelligently structured and easily navigable website is pivotal in conveying a school’s identity, offerings, and values effectively. A crucial component of website organization is the sitemap, a hierarchical list of pages…
The Benefits of WordPress for School and Nonprofit Websites
For schools and nonprofit organizations to effectively communicate, engage with their communities, and achieve their missions, a professional online presence is essential. WordPress, a popular content management system (CMS), is a versatile and cost-effective solution for building and maintaining websites which offers many benefits to both schools and nonprofit organizations….
Connecting Through Time: Engaging with Alumni and Sharing Their Stories on Your School Website
School websites serve as the virtual gateway to a community’s educational journey. Beyond current students and faculty, a crucial aspect often overlooked is the connection with alumni. Alumni are the living embodiment of a school’s legacy, and their stories can be powerful tools for inspiring current students and fostering a…
Equity in Websites: A Heartfelt Approach by Design TLC
Hey there, I’m Tara, and today I’m here to chat about something that’s both a passion and a priority for us at Design TLC: equity in websites. In a world where our digital presence is as crucial as our physical one, it’s vital to ensure that everyone feels seen, heard,…
Streamlining Operations: Harnessing Zapier for Enhanced Efficiency in Independent Schools
In the dynamic landscape of independent schools, efficiency and productivity play pivotal roles in ensuring smooth operations and fostering an environment conducive to learning and growth. Small schools have small teams, and staff will often wear many hats. Zapier, a powerful automation tool, offers a plethora of possibilities for independent…
Navigating Success: The Impact of Website Structure on User Experience for Schools and Nonprofits
When it comes to shaping user experience, the structure of a website plays a pivotal role, especially for schools and nonprofits. A well-designed website not only captures attention but also guides users seamlessly through content and fosters engagement. In this blog post, we’ll explore how website structure significantly influences user…
The Crucial Role of Keywords in Your School’s Content Strategy
Schools know that an effective online presence is critical to attracting, informing and communicating with prospective families. A key component of and online marketing strategy involves understanding and implementing relevant keywords on the school’s website. In this blog post, we’ll delve into why keywords matter to your school’s content strategy…
New Email Deliverability Rules For Gmail and Yahoo: What It Means
Experiencing email delivery troubles or puzzled by those error messages? Have you received a message from your CRM (Constant Contact, Mailchimp, etc.) that you have to set up or change some settings with acronyms like DKIM and SPF? This is due to an upcoming change in email delivery for Google…
2024 Design TLC Goals
Working with a lot of schools, “new year” occurs for us two times: I am a big fan of goal setting. The research around goals indicates that goals help us in many ways: Tips for setting and achieving goals I separate personal goals from business goals, although the process for…
The Power of Color: How It Influences Website Behavior and Boosts Conversions
In the world of online marketing and web design, every detail matters. One often underestimated yet incredibly powerful element is color. The colors you choose for your website can have a profound impact on user behavior and, ultimately, your conversion rates. In this blog post, we’ll explore the psychology behind…
2023 School and Nonprofit Websites
2023 was a fun and exciting year for Design TLC! Our team produced some amazing new websites for wonderful organizations while maintaining support for over 70 websites. We branched out with advanced development of WordPress integrations with Salesforce for The League of American Bicyclists and with Blackbaud for The Renbrook…
Creating the Best School and Nonprofit Websites with Beaver Builder for WordPress
In the digital age, having an online presence is not just an option; it’s a necessity. For schools and nonprofits, a compelling website is a crucial tool for conveying their mission, values, and impact. However, achieving the best website that’s also easy to manage and affordable can be a daunting…
Maximizing Your Impact: The Power of Matching Gifts for Nonprofits
In the world of nonprofit organizations, every contribution counts. Whether it’s a modest donation from an individual or a substantial grant from a foundation, these funds fuel the important work that nonprofits do. But what if we told you that there’s a way to double the impact of each donation…
Easy Improvements For Better School and Nonprofit Website Performance
Before we delve into the specifics of enhancing website performance, it’s crucial to revisit a fundamental rule of website design. The allure of adding numerous bells and whistles to your website, such as videos, animations, and flashy elements can be tempting. However, these embellishments can potentially lead to a negative…
Why Choose WordPress for Montessori and Preschool Websites
A strong online presence is essential for small schools, including Montessori and preschools. A well-designed website not only serves as a gateway for prospective parents and caregivers but also reflects the unique philosophies and values that these institutions uphold. When it comes to building a website that effectively captures the…