eWay Corp

Introduction 

The Iowa Valley Community College District (IVCCD), overseeing four colleges in Iowa, required a significant upgrade to its primary website. As a unifying entity for these institutions, the district needed a platform that represented its collective identity and appealed effectively to high school students and potential benefactors. 

Challenges 

IVCCD faced multiple issues: 

• Inconsistent Branding and Navigation: The outdated design misaligned with IVCCD's mission, complicating navigation and information retrieval. 

• Outdated Content Delivery: Essential information was locked in hard-to-maintain, user-unfriendly PDFs. 

• Lack of Engagement: The site resembled a static digital brochure more than an engaging, informative platform. 

Solutions 

Using WordPress, eWay Corp addressed these problems through: 

• Website Redesign: A complete aesthetic overhaul improved the color scheme and user experience across devices. 

• Interactive Features: Integration of WordPress widgets added dynamic content like GIFs, videos, and animations, boosting engagement. 

• Easy Content Management: Transitioning from PDFs to web-based content simplified updates and management. 

Impact 

The redesign markedly enhanced user experience with: 

• Enhanced User Interface: A modern, sleek design with intuitive navigation. 

• Interactive Engagement: New features encouraged exploration and prolonged engagement. 

Results 

The feedback post-launch was highly positive: 

• Community Feedback: Acclaim from students, staff, and professors for the website’s usability and information accessibility. 

• Board Satisfaction: The IVCCD board appreciated the new features and flexibility, confident in the website’s future adaptability to evolving needs. 

This case study underscores the strategic use of web development in resolving educational sector challenges and boosting institutional visibility and engagement. 

Introduction 

Naropa University, a unique, Buddhist-inspired college in Boulder, Colorado, founded in 1974, faced challenges with its web presence, which included multiple outdated sites that poorly represented its non-traditional studies and rich student life activities. 

Challenges 

The university's web infrastructure was fragmented across several platforms, making information access cumbersome for prospective and current students. The existing sites were not only outdated but also lacked integration, which hindered user experience and administrative efficiency. 

Solutions 

eWay Corp was tasked with migrating Naropa University's websites to a more cohesive and manageable system. The solution involved: 

• Migrating to WordPress: This improved site functionality and integration across campus, school, and program sub-sites. 

• Dynamic Catalogs: Development of dynamic course and faculty catalogs to better showcase university offerings. 

• Unified Platform: Integration of all sub-sites into one consolidated site to streamline content management and user navigation. 

• Enhanced User Interactivity: Creation of a customer portal for student registrations and interactions, and implementation of interactive elements like a virtual tour, chat box, and a donation feature. 

Impact 

The migration and redesign provided a more unified, functional, and user-friendly website that reflected Naropa University's ethos. It enhanced the navigational experience for users and simplified backend processes for the university's staff. 

Results 

Post-implementation, Naropa University reported improved engagement metrics, with an increase in prospective student inquiries and higher satisfaction ratings from current students and faculty. The new website effectively supports the university's goals of integrating academic and personal growth with spiritual practice.