How a strong online presence can revolutionise student enrolment
by Phil Owen, Partner
In today’s digital-first world, education providers face a critical challenge: how to stand out and attract students in a crowded, competitive market. With online learning platforms thriving and expectations for seamless user experiences higher than ever, having a strong online presence isn’t just an advantage – it’s essential.
At Sticky Digital, we’ve seen how the right digital strategies can transform student recruitment. Take McArthur Morgan, for example. When they approached us in 2019, they were spending heavily on digital ads with little to show for it. Within just a few years, they were enrolling 150 students a month. Here’s how we made it happen – and how you can apply the same principles to revolutionise your student enrolment.
1. Crafting a website that converts
Your website is often the first touchpoint for prospective students. It needs to be more than visually appealing – it must guide users effortlessly toward key actions, like enrolments and open day sign-ups.
Three critical factors to consider:
- User-friendly navigation: Students should be able to find what they need quickly and easily.
- Clear calls-to-action: Make it simple to apply, enquire, or book a visit with prominent, intuitive buttons.
- Mobile optimisation: With more users browsing on their phones, a responsive design isn’t optional – it’s crucial.
Sticky Digital in action
When we partnered with McArthur Morgan, we rebuilt their website from the ground up. By creating detailed wireframes and thoughtful visuals, we aligned their digital presence with their goals, ensuring every interaction worked to convert visitors into students.
2. Leveraging PPC for immediate impact
Pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns are a powerful tool to generate quick results – when done strategically. At Sticky Digital, we focus on niche keywords and advanced tracking techniques to ensure campaigns resonate with the right audience and deliver measurable value.
Our approach:
- Start small, test extensively, and refine based on results.
- Use targeted keywords and optimise landing pages for maximum impact.
- Combine PPC efforts with events that signal user engagement to search engines.
The outcome:
For McArthur Morgan, we achieved a cost per signup of just £5 to £125, while each enrolled student contributed thousands of pounds in lifetime value to their organisation.
3. Evolving SEO for sustained growth
While PPC delivers immediate returns, search engine optimisation (SEO) is key to driving long-term visibility. Regular updates, smart keyword strategies, and technical improvements keep your website ranking high and attracting organic traffic.
Sticky Digital insight:
We developed a content strategy for McArthur Morgan based on popular search terms like course details and career paths. This approach not only boosted their search rankings but also positioned them as a trusted authority in their field.
4. Tracking performance to stay ahead
Data is a game-changer in student recruitment. With tools like Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and Google Tag Manager (GTM), we help education providers understand user behaviour, measure success, and identify areas for improvement.
Key metrics to track:
- Click-through rates
- Conversion rates
- User drop-off points
Sticky Digital in action:
By tracking performance, we continuously refined McArthur Morgan’s strategy, ensuring their website remained a powerful recruitment tool over time.
Transform your student recruitment today
The McArthur Morgan success story shows just how transformative a strong online presence can be. By investing in your website, PPC, SEO, and data-driven performance tracking, you can unlock new opportunities for growth and stand out in the digital education space.
At Sticky Digital, we specialise in helping education providers achieve tangible results. Get in touch today – let’s start the conversation about how we can help your organisation revolutionise student recruitment.