Website Redesign Creates a Buzz

Community College of Philadelphia unveiled a redesigned www.ccp.edu that’s technologically savvy and easier to use on Monday, Sept. 30. The College marked the occasion by handing out free popcorn, soft pretzels, cookies and candy at the Pavilion Building. Colonial Phil shook hands and posed for photos as nearby students participated in live web demonstrations.

The new website is more visual and better organized, with a softer look, and has a greater focus on prospective students, according to Lynette Brown-Sow, vice president for Marketing and Government Relations. It automatically adjusts to the user’s screen size, whether it’s a computer screen, tablet or smartphone.

The center of the new homepage features welcome messages to prospective students and a backdrop of College images that change gradually. Under the College banner, seven well-spaced drop-down tabs provide details on topics such as the admission process, campus life and student services. Under the tab “Why Choose Us,” links take users to pages highlighting college success stories, outstanding programs and faculty excellence. Links to the College’s social media pages on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube appear on all pages.

Kiaera Mouzon, a Nursing student, gave the redesign a thumbs-up. “The design is different. It’s nice,” she said.  Science major Francis Giron said, “It’s more up-to-date. It’s just more modern.”

Many students began navigating through the new site to look for answers for the scavenger hunt based on the new site. Students, faculty and staff were emailed a link to the scavenger hunt invitation, which asks five questions. To play, participants must search the new website for the right answers to the questions. Players can type the answers into the invitation webpage, and enter their name and College email addresses for a chance to win the prize.

Students participating in the website scavenger hunt were entered into a raffle for a chance to win a $100 Barnes & Noble gift card. Faculty and staff participants have a chance to win a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card. The contest ends Oct. 11.

Jamere Lawrence, a Business student, liked the new website and also liked the new MyGPS tool the College launched on the intranet this fall. “I love Community College of Philadelphia. Everything they do is innovative,” he said.  

The next phase of the website redesign will start in a few months and will focus on the internal site accessed through my.ccp.edu.