As we welcome 2025, it’s the perfect time to make resolutions for your institution’s website. And just like with personal goals, your website needs regular attention and care to operate effectively. However—unlike most New Year’s resolutions—these ones can’t be abandoned by February.

With Higher Education institutions experiencing a surge in security breaches in recent years—resulting in the compromised records of almost 4.3 million individuals—it is more crucial than ever to maintain a compliant, secure, and competitive website.

So let’s take a look at some of the much-needed resolutions for your organization’s website to thrive in the new year:

Resolution 1: Keep Your CMS Up-to-Date

Ignoring updates for your CMS can lead to serious security vulnerabilities. Over half (50.58%) of CMS applications were outdated at the time of a security breach. Keeping everything current is essential to safeguard your site.

Why is keeping an updated CMS so important?

1. Enhanced security: You can protect against potential threats and vulnerabilities.
2. Improved performance: Up-to-date plugins and programs ensure your website runs smoothly and efficiently.
3. New features: You can take advantage of the latest tools and enhancements.
4. Cost efficiency: It helps prevent costly security breaches and saves money long-term.

Ward Off The WordPress Woes

WordPress is a popular choice, powering about 40% of all websites. However, it faces around 90,000 attacks per minute globally. The primary reason for these breaches? You guessed it: outdated plugins and themes. Conduct regular checks to guarantee all software is up to the current version.

Dodge The Drupal Dilemmas

Drupal users should also take note. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) issued a vulnerability notice for Drupal 7, highlighting risks associated with cross-site scripting (XSS). Staying updated (to Drupal 10) is crucial to maintaining the integrity of your site.

Resolution 2: Verify Your WCAG 2.2 AA Compliance

Another important resolution is to check your website’s compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.2 at a level AA standard. This standard is internationally recognized as legally compliant and accessible to most users, including those with disabilities.

Why Should You Bother With WCAG?

Beyond the serious legal ramifications (depending on your region) of having a website deemed inaccessible to the majority, complying with established standards makes your website welcoming to everyone—meaning your organization can reach an even wider audience.

Additionally, with the internet changing so quickly, it’s important to stay ahead of regulatory changes. With the European Union Accessibility Act coming into effect in June 2025, being ahead of the curve will help you avoid potential issues. The EU has a lot of power globally—their legislations are why all websites have “cookie accept/deny” notifications and the iPhone went to the USB-C port.

Resolution 3: Optimize for a Better (and Faster) Experience

No one likes a slow website—especially not your prospective students, faculty, or alumni. In fact, studies show that bounce rates increase by 32% when pages take just 3 seconds to load. A fast site keeps users happy, helps you rank higher on search engines, and shows your institution is keeping up with modern trends.

Here are some simple ways to boost your site’s performance:

• Enable caching: This loads pages faster for returning visitors.
• Compress images: Cut down file sizes without losing quality (also serve them in next-gen formats, such as WebP, AVIF, or JPEG2000.)
• Trim the fat: Eliminate any unnecessary scripts or oversized files.

Fast websites aren’t just about convenience—they reflect your school’s commitment to accessibility and providing the best experience possible.

2025: The Year Of The Accessible, Secure, and Optimized University Websites

As we enter 2025, let’s commit to maintaining our websites with the attention they deserve. Universities, Colleges, and trade schools have wide audiences with varying needs. Regular updates, accessibility compliance checks, and strong optimization efforts are not just best practices, they’re essential in protecting your online presence and reputation.

Not sure where to start with your higher education website’s needs? Reach out to us and we can help you figure out the best way to reach your audiences in 2025.

Here’s to a new year of safer, more accessible, and successful school websites!