Centenary University modernized engagement with Xperience by Kentico.
Challenges
Centenary University's outdated WordPress website faced significant challenges that hindered user engagement and efficiency. A lack of personalization, poor mobile optimization, and an outdated content management system made it difficult for visitors to find relevant information and for the marketing team to make updates efficiently. As a result, the university’s digital presence did not align with its modern academic offerings or student-centered approach, leading to low engagement rates.
To bridge this gap, Centenary launched an ambitious website transformation project. The goal was to create a dynamic, user-friendly platform that not only honored its 157-year history but also met the evolving needs of its diverse audience. By modernizing its digital presence, the university aimed to strengthen connections with both current and prospective students while positioning itself for long-term digital success.
Centenary University partnered with full-service digital agency Konabos and full-service brand, marketing, and revenue generation agency pleOS Agency for this project.
The project's primary objectives were to:
Create a flexible, scalable solution built on Xperience by Kentico, capable of adapting to Centenary University’s evolving aspirations and technological needs.
Modernize the website to highlight the university’s historical legacy while also appealing to prospective students, alumni, and other stakeholders.
Develop a mobile-first design that prioritized clear navigation, concise messaging, and compelling calls-to-action to improve usability and boost engagement.
Deliver content and design tailored to the habits and preferences of tech-savvy younger generations, ensuring relevance in today’s digital landscape.
Showcase Centenary University's distinctive programs and value propositions to effectively engage and attract prospective students and other key audiences.
Centenary University partnered with full-service digital agency Konabos and full-service brand, marketing, and revenue generation agency pleOS Agency for this project.
Solutions
Centenary University’s choice of Xperience by Kentico was driven by its need for a flexible, scalable, and user-friendly platform capable of supporting the university’s long-term digital ambitions. With robust content management and personalization capabilities, Xperience by Kentico was well-suited to engaging diverse audiences, including prospective students, alumni, and other stakeholders. Its focus on a mobile-first and user-centric approach ensured the new website would deliver a seamless and intuitive experience across devices, resonating particularly with tech-savvy, digital-native audiences.
The project marked Konabos’ first major implementation of Xperience by Kentico, which required a period of adjustment as the team navigated the platform’s features and workflows. Additionally, as an evolving solution, some advanced features desired for the project were not yet available but were planned for future releases. Despite these limitations, the team used innovative strategies and adaptive solutions to deliver a website that met Centenary University’s immediate needs while laying the groundwork for future scalability.
This achievement was made possible through the effective integration of key platform features:
Multichannel capabilities: Integrated website and email communications to provide a cohesive digital experience.
Dynamic Page Builder: Enabled flexible and easy updates to website content.
Email automation: Utilized autoresponders and templated emails for streamlined communication.
Content Hub and Media Library: Centralized content and media resources to simplify management and ensure brand consistency across channels.
Digital marketing tools: Employed customizable forms and campaigns to engage users and collect actionable insights.
Kentico Integration: Enhanced functionality and search capabilities with Apache Lucene integration.
Data protection & consents management: Ensured compliance with data protection standards.
Workflow customization and automation: Supported efficient content publication processes through tailored workflows.
Advanced taxonomies: Provided efficient categorization for improved content discovery.
Role management: Streamlined user permissions and access control.
CI/CD (continuous integration and delivery): Facilitated efficient and seamless updates to the website infrastructure.
Through careful planning and the strategic use of these features, the project delivered a cutting-edge digital platform that not only meets current demands but also positions Centenary University as a forward-thinking institution ready for future challenges.
Results
Centenary University's new website successfully brought Centenary University’s digital presence to the forefront, highlighting its legacy, values, and innovative programs.
Built with Xperience by Kentico, it brings a fresh, mobile-friendly design and improved organization. Designed for a wide range of users, especially prospective students, the site makes it easy to find information with clear navigation, simple messaging, and strong calls-to-action. By showcasing the university’s innovative programs and unique strengths, the website sets Centenary up for future growth while connecting with tech-savvy audiences.
The new website has achieved several important improvements:
Better engagement: With significantly reduced bounce rates and improved user retention, website engagement saw a 40% increase.
Faster performance: Load times have been reduced by 25%, giving visitors a faster, smoother, and better experience.
Easier updates: With Kentico’s intuitive tools, content publishing efficiency has improved by 50%, allowing the marketing team to work independently with less reliance on developers, saving both time and effort.
Enhanced digital presence: Improved navigation and stronger calls to action have helped the university elevate its online presence and deepen its connection with both prospective and current students.
This revamped website not only improves the online experience for users but also gives Centenary University more flexibility and independence to meet its future needs.
Statistics
40% increase in website engagement
25% faster load times
50% increase in content publishing efficiency
