Choosing a new school website provider can feel like a daunting task. With so many companies offering different features, platforms, and support levels, it’s hard to know where to start.

Whether you’re part of a local authority school, a standalone primary school, or a growing multi academy trust, your website plays a vital role. It’s often the first place prospective parents and students visit. It’s where current parents go for updates. And it’s where school staff need quick access to publish and maintain important information.

Here are some top tips to help you choose the right provider—based on what we’ve seen work for many schools across the UK.

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1. Start With Your Purpose

Before comparing providers, think about what your new school website needs to achieve. Is your focus on increasing admissions? Improving communication with your school community? Making life easier for teachers and admin users?

Most schools aim to:

• Create a perfect online presence for prospective parents

• Keep current parents up to date

• Reduce time spent by school staff maintaining content

• Provide quick, clear access to key information for visitors

By being clear on your purpose from the start, you’ll find it easier to evaluate each provider’s solution.

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2. Look for a Content Management System Built for Education

A content management system (CMS) is the tool your team will use to update your site. It should be simple, secure, and designed for school use. Some providers use off-the-shelf platforms. Others create bespoke systems specifically for UK schools.

Look for a CMS that:

• Works smoothly on mobile and desktop

• Supports structured content like policies, events, staff lists, and curriculum

• Lets school staff add and update content with minimal training

• Offers secure hosting and regular backups

• Is regularly updated with improvements and new features

Good content management tools can save a huge amount of time and reduce reliance on one or two key people.

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3. Make Sure Support is Included – and Unlimited

When choosing a school website provider, support shouldn’t be an afterthought. You want to be able to pick up the phone or email a real person who understands how schools work—and who can help without delay.

Ask each company:

• What kind of support is included in the cost?

• Is there a limit on how often school staff can get help?

• How do you access support (email, phone, live sessions)?

• Do they provide training for new users?

Unlimited support, included in your plan, makes a real difference—especially when your team changes or urgent updates are needed.

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4. Focus on Features That Actually Help

Some platforms come with long lists of features that sound impressive but aren’t often used. Others focus on practical tools that school staff rely on daily.

When comparing providers, check whether their school website solution offers:

• A clear way to display term dates, policies, and contact information

• Customisable class or subject pages (especially for primary school sites)

• Easy integration with other systems (e.g. calendar, absence reporting)

• Tools for sharing updates with parents and the wider school community

• Responsive design for mobile visitors

Ask for a live demo and see how long it takes to complete a basic task—like updating a news item or adding a new staff member. That’s often a better test than flashy marketing materials.

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5. Prioritise Security and Reliability

Your website holds important information and is accessed daily by students, parents, teachers, and external visitors. It needs to be reliable and secure.

Ask potential providers:

• Where is your site hosted, and is it on a UK-based server?

• Is secure hosting included as standard?

• How are backups managed?

• How do you protect against hacking or outages?

Security might not be the first thing schools think about—but it’s critical when choosing a platform that supports your education setting long-term.

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6. Check the Design Process and Timeline

The best design process will feel collaborative, clear, and manageable. Ask each provider what to expect once you sign up. Will they support you through content transfer? Will they provide templates or advice to get started? Who from your team will be involved?

Look for a company that offers:

• A structured approach to launching your new website

• Clear communication at each stage

• Realistic timelines (based on your availability)

• Flexibility to adjust the project if school deadlines shift

Whether you’re looking for a fully bespoke design or something based on pre-approved layouts, what matters most is that the end result suits your school and is delivered on time.

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7. Plan for the Long Term

Many schools make the mistake of focusing only on launch day. But a school website needs to work for you every single week. That means:

• Easy content updates for teachers and admin staff

• Regular software updates to meet changing needs

• Ongoing support and training as your team changes

• Confidence that the platform will continue to develop with the education sector

Check if the provider offers regular new features at no extra cost, how they handle feedback from customers, and whether they have a track record of long-term relationships with schools.

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8. Ask for References and Examples

It’s useful to see a range of live school websites built by each provider—especially ones from schools like yours. Don’t just rely on portfolio highlights. Visit the sites yourself. Try using the navigation, checking mobile responsiveness, and finding term dates or policies.

Even better, ask to speak to a few customers directly. Find out:

• What the build and design process was like

• How easy the CMS is to use day to day

• What the support experience is really like

• Whether the provider feels like a long-term partner

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9. Think About Value, Not Just Cost

Budgets are tight, and cost always matters. But it’s worth thinking beyond the initial price. What’s included in the package? Are you getting unlimited support and training? Are there extra charges for future updates?

Some schools have found that a low-cost quote turns into a more expensive solution once they’ve added the tools they need. Others pay a little more up front but benefit from years of included service, training, and development.

The best value often comes from companies who build long-standing relationships with schools and trusts.

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A Final Word

Choosing a school website provider isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about finding the right team, the right platform, and the right level of ongoing support so your website can serve your school community well for years to come.

If you’re at the early stages of reviewing options, we’re happy to offer advice and provide a clear overview of how our team supports schools across the UK with secure hosting, unlimited support, and regularly updated tools that make life easier for school staff.

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Whether you’re replacing an older site or creating a brand new website for your school or trust, the right provider should offer clarity, confidence, and long-term value.