Whenever I get the whim to consider going back to school, I, of course, turn to search. I'm often completely appalled by the quality of websites associated with colleges and universities. There is little continuity of design and message and site search is generally terrible. Why go back to school when a university can't even create a decent website?
That's why I'm glad that Wordstream has released their list of top colleges and universities with regards to SEO. Optimization isn't everything when it comes to web design and development, but it's a start.
It should surprise no one that online-based higher education ranks high on Wordstream's list. (Before you balk, consider that a recent study by the US Department of Education showed that online education beats classroom learning.)
Drexel University, a traditional university with a strong online offering, was the big winner with the most top 10 results. Two online schools, University of Phoenix and Capella University were the only other colleges to have strong top 10 showings.
Wordstream conducted the rankings by searching for popular higher-ed keywords such as "psychology degree," "MBA," and "nursing degree."
Their conclusion that most schools aren't conducting SEO or enough SEO didn't surprise me. (It's a bit ironic, since many link builders would love inbounds from a .edu.)
Of course, as I said above, this doesn't even take into account design and most developmental issues. I'd argue that a nice chunk of incoming freshmen computer science geeks could team up with some design majors and probably code up a better website than most universities have.
Is it true that those who can't do, teach? Sound off in the comments below.
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![[image]http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs44/i](http://www.stumbleupon.com/to/1pq3kF/fc02.deviantart.net/fs44/i/2009/146/c/5/Beautiful_Day_by_Dr4kon.jpg/t:4b3360940d823;src:favorites){kind=link}
Not a huge surprise here – there is rarely a clear person with responsibility for the website.
Least of all, one who has time to learn and pay attention to SEO best practices.
In cash-stripped state schools, the thought of having to explain to the board exactly what x expense for ‘SEO services’ was probably puts them off using an external agency!
Am not surprised at all! You atleast have most of the US univs decently placed when it comes to their own websites…in terms of UI, Design, Content etc. But Indian universities feel that students dont care to know about them through the Internet. Their websites are the worst designed, with content rarely updated.
Your question if funny though. I remember my Entrepreneurship prof mentioning that he only teaches how to do business, because he cant do it himself. In the same breath he adds…”its like those authors who write on how to make a billion by the time you are 30…at the age of 50!”
Yes, I agree that colleges are not up to par with SEO. However, they do rely heavily on buying leads from lead gen companies. That seems to work well for them.