Does Your Web site Make a Good First Impression

A recent study from Ontario's Carleton University says that new web site visitors form "rigid conclusions about their likes or dislikes" in about 50 milliseconds - the blink of an eye.

What will newcomers think of your web site? With only 50 milliseconds to impress, there are several ways to initiate eye-catching strategies, like:

• Create one design that appeals to both prospective students and parents.
• Make your admissions homepage navigation intuitive. "The best homepages act like virtual traffic cops - they quickly shuttle new arrivals to their areas of interest."
• Summarize popular content such as current news, blogs, video clips, and student and faculty profiles on the homepage, then link to a second-level page for detailed information.
• Let your admissions staff keep your web site content up-to-date with content management tools.