Creating a School Website in 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide and Best Practices

Creating a School Website: Basics and Trends in 2026

In a rapidly digitalizing world, school websites become essential tools for communication, information, and promotion. In 2026, creating a website for a school requires focus on responsive design, ease of use, and security. In practice, the most popular tools for creation are WordPress and other platforms like Tilda or Wix, which enable quick and simple implementation without deep programming knowledge.

In my experience, it is most important to define clear goals and target users of the website before starting technical implementation. Understanding the needs of your school and students or parents using the site helps create the right content and structure. Case studies show that a quality and responsive website improves the school's visibility and facilitates daily communication.

Key Features of School Websites

• Responsive design and mobile adaptability: Most users access the internet via mobile devices, so adapting the site to all screen sizes is necessary.
• Accessibility according to WCAG standards: Ensuring content is accessible to people with special needs, such as those with impaired vision or motor disabilities.
• Simple navigation and clear sections: Sections for news, schedule, contact information, and parent portals must be easily accessible and well-structured.
• Security measures like HTTPS and GDPR compliance: Protecting students’ and staff’s data is paramount, especially when collecting personal data or uploading content.

Features of School Websites

Essential Functionalities Today

• Parent portals and sections for students: Allow login to notifications, homework, and communication with staff.
• Calendars and activity information: Regularly updated calendars for classes, extracurricular activities, and important dates.
• Communication tools and application forms: Email forms, online questionnaires, and registration or activity sign-up forms.
• Integration with educational platforms (e-Education, Moodle): Connecting with national and international educational systems enables modern teaching and learning approaches.

Design and Content that Attract Students and Parents

• Elegant, modern look with focus on accessibility: Minimalist design with clear content hierarchy and simple navigation paths.
• Use of visually appealing elements: Images, videos, and infographics increase visitor engagement.
• Regular updates of news and content: Current information and news keep the site lively and relevant.

Unified Website for All Educational Institutions

Advantages of a Centralized Approach

• Brand consistency and visual identity: A website reflecting the unique identity of all educational institutions enhances recognizability.
• Efficient content maintenance and updates: A central platform reduces costs and time for upkeep while ensuring consistency and timeliness of information.
• Connection with national platforms: Direct integration with systems like e-Education or PISA allows for easy updates and data access.

Examples of Good Practices in the Region

• “Slobodan Škerović” Gymnasium: with an alumni list and regular content publication on gimnazijapg.me
• Schools using WordPress or Joomla: simple administration and flexibility for teams.
• Use of LMS platforms: for digital education through integration with various classrooms and digital content.

Basic Steps for Creating a School Website

1. Planning the Website

• Defining goals and target audience: Understand the needs of parents, students, and teachers.
• Analyzing competition and existing solutions: Study the most common models and functionalities in the region.
• Gathering content and required functionalities: Compile a list of necessary sections, such as news, schedule, contact info, and plan content accordingly.

2. Choosing a Platform for Website Creation

• WordPress: The most popular platform for schools and institutions, thanks to simplicity and a wide ecosystem of themes and plugins.
• Alternatives: Tilda or Wix offer quick creation with minimal technical skills, ideal for smaller schools.
• Advantages and Challenges: WordPress allows greater customization, while Tilda and Wix are faster to deploy but have more limited options.

3. Designing and Developing the Website

• Choosing a modern and accessible design: Many templates are tailored for schools and easy to customize.
• Customizing templates or developing a custom design: If specific requirements demand it, engaging a designer or building from scratch is an option.
• Testing speed and functionality: Always test on various devices, especially mobile, and optimize performance before launch.

4. Launching and Maintenance

• Hosting setup and domain configuration: Select reliable hosting and register an appropriate domain.
• Staff training for content updates: Short training sessions ensure everyone involved knows how to manage content.
• Planning regular backups and updates: Keep the site secure and functional with routine updates.

Phases of Developing a School Website

Planning and Research

• Review of existing solutions and user needs: Meetings with school teams and analysis of competitor sites.
• Defining structure and functionalities: Website skeleton, navigation layout, and required features.

Development and Design

• Creating wireframes and prototypes: Visual representations of pages and functionalities.
• Implementing design and features: Programming, theme integration or customization, and plugin setup.

Testing and Launch

• Verifying functionality on different devices: Ensure everything works seamlessly on phones, tablets, and desktops.
• Resolving issues: Fix bugs and optimize performance before going live.

Additional Tips for Successful School Website Development

Content Automation and Updates

• Use RSS feeds for news and updates: Automate the transfer of the latest information into website sections.
• Implement Google Forms for events and registrations: Simple and quick communication with parents and students.

Maintaining and Developing the Website Over Time

• Regular system and content upgrades: Incorporate feedback and continuous improvements.
• Collecting user feedback: Surveys and comments to better align with user needs.

Latest Trends and Standards in 2026

EU Digital Education Action Plan (2021–2027)

• Promotion of AI and hybrid platforms in education: Incorporating artificial intelligence and personalized educational solutions.
• Focus on digital skills of teaching staff and students: Continuous training and digital literacy.

Technologies to Enhance Functionality

• Progressive Web Apps (PWA): A website that works offline, loads quickly, and can be installed on devices.
• Incorporating AI tools: Chatbots, personalized educational content, and automatic grading.

Standards for Optimization and Security

• Google Core Web Vitals from 2024+: Focus on speed, interactivity, and overall user experience.
• Implementation of security protocols: HTTPS, regular backups, and personal data protection in accordance with GDPR.

Frequently Asked Questions (People Also Ask)

How to create a website in WordPress without knowledge?

Using themes and plugins, you can easily set up a basic website. Additionally, online tutorials and video guides are available and can guide you through the process step by step.

How long does it take to develop a school website?

For a simpler version, 2 to 4 weeks is realistic, while more complex projects may require more time for testing and staff training.

What are the basic steps for creating a website?

Planning, choosing a platform, designing, development, testing, and finally launching — these are the most important steps on the way to a functional and attractive site.

Which platforms to use for free website creation?

WordPress.com, Wix, Tilda, and GitHub Pages offer accessible options for schools that want to quickly and freely launch their website.