Merced College’s website gets a new look

Merced College has redesigned its website, which leaders say should make it easier to use.

The redesign of www.mccd.edu began 12 months ago after the college collected feedback from staff members and students through focus groups and surveys.

“We are very pleased to launch our new website with a fresh look and an added emphasis on improved site navigation” said Arlis Bortner, Information Technology Services director, in a news release. “The website is our virtual front door and it’s important we present a welcoming look and feel.”

The result is a website that prominently features photos of Merced College students and emphasizes a new navigation menu with links to the most-requested web pages and tools. In addition, the staff added quick links to the right of the Merced College logo on the home page.

The new website features an events calendar, news articles and press releases. A “Campus Life” tab gives students quick access to information about campus activities, parking, jobs and athletics.

At the time of the last redesign, in 2011, only 6 percent of visitors used mobile phones or tablets to visit the website, according to the college. Today, 31 percent of site visitors are on a mobile phone. The new design is optimized for desktops, tablets and other mobile devices.

“Of those who completed the campuswide survey, a majority believed the website should be focused on students as a primary audience,” Bortner said. “Our new website is student-focused, with easy-to-find areas for faculty, staff, parents and community.”

Other improvements include a modern look and feel, an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant design, and a complete site audit to weed out content that is redundant, out-of-date and trivial, Bortner said.

This story was originally published January 25, 2016 at 5:46 PM with the headline "Merced College’s website gets a new look."