Choosing a higher education website redesign agency is a complex decision that a lot of people at your institution will have opinions about. Asking the right questions up front saves months of misalignment later. Here are the ones worth putting on your RFP.
Do you have real experience in higher ed?
Not every design agency that does good work is the right fit for a university. Ask to see a portfolio of top higher education web design companies they've competed against or worked alongside, and ask for references from marketing directors, not just case studies.
What does your redesign process actually look like?
A clear university website redesign process should walk you through discovery, information architecture, design, development, launch, and QA, with named milestones and realistic timelines. If a design studio can't explain how they handle stakeholder feedback from deans, admissions, and IT at the same time, they may not be the right fit.
Can you show accessible, ADA-compliant work?
This one carries real legal weight, not just a nice-to-have. ADA compliant website design and WCAG certified accessible website design should be baked into the process from day one, not bolted on before launch. Ask any prospective design company for concrete examples of accessible website design for universities, how they actually test for it (screen readers, keyboard navigation, real users), and how they keep it up to date after launch.
How will this site perform for Gen Z prospective students?
Ask specifically about higher ed website design for Gen Z. This can include specific mobile considerations and content that gets to the point fast. A portfolio full of dense, text-heavy sites built for a 2015 audience is a sign the agency hasn't kept pace.
How do you handle our RFP and pricing?
A good agency will help you tighten your higher ed website RFP template rather than just responding to it. Ask for transparent pricing and a clear answer on what's included and what maintenance plans may look like.
What happens after launch?
Ask what training, documentation, and ongoing support come with the engagement. A site is a living asset, not a one-time deliverable.
At Opus Design we've worked with many institutions on exactly these kinds of redesign projects. If you're building an RFP and want a second set of eyes on it, get in touch.
