GradesFirst

GradesFirst was a student success technology company based in Birmingham, Alabama, that helped colleges and universities engage and support at-risk students. Founded in 2006 to help promote the success of student athletes, GradesFirst became the leading provider of communication and case management technology for advisors and other student success specialists.

Missing Out on the Full Potential

With their previous website design GradesFirst wasn’t effectively communicating the full range of benefits to its intended audience making it difficult for users to understand the value of the application. The old website lacked a clear, engaging presentation of key company information, product features, news, events, and career opportunities. The new website needed to be a more powerful tool to showcase both the company's mission and the application’s core benefits. It also required fresh digital assets that could help GradesFirst stand out in an increasingly competitive space.

Design That Makes the Grade

In collaboration with the GradesFirst team, I took a strategic approach to redesigning the website. The goal was to create a WordPress-driven platform that would not only showcase the company’s offerings but also enhance the experience for advisors and student success specialists. By optimizing navigation and information architecture, I ensured users could easily access the resources they needed—making the site a smart, intuitive platform for navigating success.

A Curriculum for Success

The newly designed website raised the bar for users, providing a clear path to understand how the GradesFirst application could support their work. This strategic, user-centered design made the site more effective in driving engagement and conversion, helping GradesFirst make the grade in a competitive space. With careful planning, design, and implementation, the final result was a modern, streamlined platform that aligned perfectly with the company’s goals and improved overall site performance.