Darlington College

Darlington College is renowned for providing a state-of-the-art learning environment and offering courses tailored to meet the specific needs of local businesses. Their focus on practical education ensures that graduates are not only highly employable but also well-equipped to thrive in their chosen careers. Beyond academics, the college is committed to offering adult education options that fit seamlessly into students’ lifestyles, making it a convenient and attractive choice for continuing education.

Originally developed by Matthew and Steven while working at another agency, the Darlington College website was initially a strong digital platform that effectively supported the college’s needs. However, as time went by and the team moved on, the website began to face challenges in keeping up with modern standards for site speed, SEO, and user experience.

Around a year ago, facing these growing challenges and ongoing frustrations with their current supplier, Darlington College reached back out to Matthew and Steven, now operating under Phonetic Digital. Recognising the need to restore and enhance their digital presence, the college entrusted Phonetic Digital with the task of revitalising their website to ensure it once again effectively supported their educational mission and provided a seamless experience for prospective and current students alike.

To address the challenges faced by Darlington College, we implemented a comprehensive and strategic approach. Our solution involved:

Full Audit and Analysis: We began with a thorough audit of the existing website, focusing on key areas such as site speed, SEO, and user experience. This analysis included a deep dive into Google Analytics and Tag Manager, allowing us to pinpoint specific areas needing improvement. By understanding the current state of the site through this comprehensive audit, we were able to develop a clear and targeted roadmap for the necessary enhancements to bring the website up to modern standards.

Ongoing Collaboration: Throughout the project, we worked closely with the Darlington College team to ensure that all content was up-to-date, relevant, and engaging. This collaborative effort helped us create a revitalised digital platform that accurately reflects Darlington College’s commitment to providing high-quality education in a state-of-the-art environment. Now we manage and maintain the website with plans to further enhance the user experience and expand the student portal with additional functionality keeping Darling College at the forefront of the digital student experience.

Darlington College refreshed website has delivered significant improvements across multiple fronts. By conducting a comprehensive audit of Google Analytics and Tag Manager, we identified key areas for optimisation and implemented targeted changes. As a result, the website now performs at a much higher level, offering a faster, more seamless user experience that is not only better for visitors but also for SEO and overall page performance.

These enhancements have made the site more user-friendly and accessible, with faster load times and improved security. Additionally, the streamlined site structure and sustainable development practices contribute to a reduced environmental impact. The new website stands as a robust digital platform that effectively supports Darlington College’s educational mission and future growth.

Our work with Darlington College underscores Phonetic Digital’s unwavering commitment to supporting businesses and institutions across the North East. By revitalising the website and bringing it back to its original high-performing standards, we’ve ensured it meets modern digital demands while effectively supporting the college’s educational mission. Rooted in the North East, we’re proud to contribute to the region’s growth, all whilst upholding our commitment to sustainable web development. This project not only reflects our dedication to delivering outstanding results but also our pledge to provide digital excellence in a way that benefits both our clients and the broader community.

Following our comprehensive overhaul, Darlington College’s website now outperforms other local college websites in key performance metrics. Thanks to our efforts, the site achieves outstanding Google Lighthouse scores, with performance, accessibility, best practices, and SEO all ranging between 90 and 100.

Before our intervention, the website’s mobile pages were consistently rated as ‘poor’, however now they all score as ‘good’, reflecting a significant improvement in user experience. This high-performing website not only enhances Darlington College’s online presence but also solidifies its position as a leading educational institution in the region.