Microsites: Initial Setup

A guide to setting up Microsites, including asset specifications.

Ardis Kadiu avatar
Written by Ardis Kadiu
Updated over a week ago

Overview

Microsites are customizable web pages hosted by Element451 that allow institutions to provide tailored and engaging experiences for different student populations.

With tools like academic planners, career explorers, social media feeds, and more, microsites create personalized touchpoints along the student journey to improve engagement, yield, and campus fit. By showcasing an institution's unique brand and culture, microsites foster deeper connections with prospective students and make it easier for them to learn about the school, apply, and enroll.


Accessing Microsites

Navigate to Engagement > Microsites


Information + Assets Needed for Microsite Creation

When preparing to set up a microsite, it is helpful first to gather the following necessary assets: 

  • Four-year program curriculums

  • Career-related clubs

  • Internship examples 

  • Popular locations around campus (recommended to have at least 30 locations)

  • List of next steps, which may include documents such as client health documents, housing forms, medical requirements, etc.

  • Fun survey questions

  • Links to social media sites or group pages

  • Video footage, high-resolution images, logos, and favicons


Creating a New Microsite

  1. Navigate to Engagement > Microsites > All Microsites

  2. Click the blue + button in the top right corner

  3. Name the site and choose a general look. You can change your choices later.

    • General: Name the site (ex. Admitted Student Microsite)

    • Theme: Choose either a light or dark theme

    • Design:

      • Cards Style: Select one: soft rounded, rounded, or squared cards

      • Buttons Style: Select one: soft rounded, rounded, or squared buttons

  4. Click Next to save your changes and create your new Microsite

  5. Now that the site is created, scroll down on the left-hand side and click each tab to personalize further and build the site. We will go through them individually below.


The configurations menu of a Microsite is broken up into the following areas:


Content

In the Content section, you will configure your Login, Dashboard, and Surveys.

Step 1: Login

The Login content is displayed on the page where the student will be required to log in before they can access the microsite. The login page is designed to be inclusive and generic, catering to all audiences. As the user has not logged in yet, there are limited customization options available. However, our configurations allow you the ability to make your page branded, visually appealing, and engaging.

An example of the login page is shown below:

Configuring Login

To configure the login screen of your microsite:

  1. Click on Login on the left menu

  2. Configure the content and settings under the Body tab.

  3. Click Add Block to get started.

    There are three different types of content blocks you can add to the login page: Text, Call-to-Action, and Factoid. For more information, including a description of each content block, review the Content Block / Card Descriptions section at the end of this article.

  4. Configure the content and settings under the Header tab by clicking the pencil icon next to default header content. Remember, since the user hasn't logged in yet, we can only display default content.

  5. Adjust the Heading configurations and settings as needed:

    • Headline text: Appears large over your background image

    • Subtitle text: Appears smaller under your headline text

    • Header background image (must be in .jpg format)

Step 2: Dashboard

The dashboard is the personalized home page students see after logging into the microsite. It displays relevant content in a visually engaging card format.

Dashboard components can include:

  • Text cards with narratives and details on student life, academics, etc.

  • Media cards to showcase photos and videos

  • Factoid cards highlighting statistics and achievements

  • Featured Location cards with maps, images, contact info, and descriptions

  • CTA cards prompting desired actions like event registration or deposit payments

  • Profile cards displaying student testimonials and faculty highlights

  • Featured Event cards highlighting upcoming campus events like orientation or tours

Each content block/card can be configured to display for all students or targeted to specific audiences using labels. This allows you to provide customized experiences based on interests, demographics, funnel stage, and more!

An example of the dashboard page is shown below:

[screenshot here]

Configuring Dashboard

To configure the dashboard of your microsite:

  1. Click on Dashboard on the left menu

  2. Configure the content and settings under the Body tab.

  3. Click Add Block to get started.

    There are seven different types of content blocks you can add to the Dashboard: Text, Profile, Featured Location, Call-to-Action, Factoid, Media, and Featured Event. For more information, including a description of each content block, review the Content Block / Card Descriptions section at the end of this article.

  4. Click the Social Feed tab. Add and manage a live feed of your X (Twitter) account that will appear on the dashboard.

  5. Click on the Header tab. You will see the default header content. The default content is what will appear for users without matching labels. Click the pencil icon to edit the headline text, subtitle text, and header background image.

  6. To customize the header for different audiences/labels, click add version. Users that match the label will see this version rather than the default. When adding a version, configure the following:

    • Enter Labels: Add labels for the user groups who should see this version of the header

    • Headline Text: Add your headline text

    • Subtitle Text: Add your subtitle text

    • Header Background Image: Choose a header background image to upload. An image is required.

Step 3: Surveys

With the survey feature, you can easily gather feedback and insights directly from admitted students via a microsite. Surveys are a simple way to collect additional information from admitted students, which can be used to guide recruitment strategy and personalize support throughout the enrollment funnel. Survey components include:

  • Multiple-choice, yes/no, and open-ended text questions

  • Surveys are only visible to students after logging into their microsite

  • View real-time results and respondents

  • Export survey data to CSV for further analysis

Configuring Survey

  1. To add a survey, click + Add Survey.

    • Survey Name: Give your survey a name. The title will be used as the header text on the survey card.

    • Start date/end date: If you want your survey to run for a specific length of time, give your survey a start and end date. If you want it to remain open, leave those fields blank.

    • Activate: Toggle on Activate if you want to begin accepting survey responses

  2. Click Create

  3. Once created, you can add questions to your survey. You are permitted to add the following question types: multiple choice, yes/no, and text input.

  4. You can return to this section to:

    • Activate/deactivate the survey (toggle to the right of the survey name)

    • Edit survey (pencil icons)

    • Review survey results/respondents (tabs)

    • Export results (paper with down arrow icon)


Sections

Add sections of additional content.


Settings

Step 1: General

General Tab

  • Click on the General tab, and configure the following:

    • Google Analytics: Add your Google Tag Manager Container ID

    • Audiences - Add labels specifying which user groups have permission to access this Microsite

    • Element Messenger - Enable or disable live chat on this Microsite

Main CTA Tab

The Main Call to Action is a prominent, customizable button displayed in the top right of the microsite to drive admitted students to complete key actions like paying deposits, signing up for events, etc The button can be tailored to different audiences using labels, further personalizing the microsite experience.

  1. Click on the Main CTA tab. You will see the Default Main CTA Button. The default CTA is what will appear for users without matching labels. Click the pencil icon to edit the button text and link.

  2. To customize the CTA for different audiences/labels, click add version. Users that match the label will see this version rather than the default. When adding a version, configure the following:

    • Click Add Version

      • Enter Labels: Add labels for the user groups who should see this button

      • Button Text: Very short (2 to 3 words), active phrase for the button’s text.

      • Button Link: To link to a page on the site, enter “/” and the rest of the URL. Example: /section/career. For links to other sites, enter the full URL.

Footer Tab

  • Click on the Footer tab to manage your social media links (Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube) and the text that repeats at the bottom of each page.

Step 2: Design & Layout

General Tab

  • Click on the General tab, and configure the following for your institution:

    • Header headline font family

    • Header headline font weight

    • Primary color (hex#)

    • Secondary color (hex#)

    • School logo (color)

    • School logo (all white - transparent background)

    • Favicon (ico)

    • Favicon (png)

Navigation Tab

  • Click on the Navigation tab, and choose where the navigation should appear.

Header Tab

  • Click on the Header tab, and configure the following:

    • Header Color

    • Main CTA Button Shape

    • Main CTA Button Style

    • Featured Card

    • Headline Alignment

    • Image Overlay

Social Feed Tab

  • Click on the Social Feed tab, and choose to show a social feed on your microsite dashboard. Keep in mind X (Twitter) is the only social supported for this feed feature.

Footer Tab

  • Click on the Footer tab, and select a layout and button style for the footer that appears throughout the site.

Step 3: Majors

Here you can edit, create, and manage your institution’s majors that will populate in sections of the microsite such as the Academic Planner.

  1. Click Add Major to enter the basic information about the major.

    • Major:

    • Major ID:

    • Icon: Select an icon


    📙 Note: Please keep in mind that the Major ID should correspond with the Major GUID in Data Sources to link the two together.

  2. Once a major has been added, you will see two tabs:

    • Academic Information

      • Under the academic information tab, you can add a group.

        • Use groups to present courses by semester. Example: a group called “Freshman” showing courses for Fall Semester, Spring, etc.

    • Career Information

      • Under the Career Information tab, you can configure:

        • Sample Careers

        • Sample Work Settings

        • Skills You Will Develop

        • Placement Highlights

        • Salary Range

        • Industry-related Clubs

  3. Once a major and group have been added, you can add semester blocks to a group. A semester block can provide a list of course information by semester.

Step 4: Social Media

Manage the X (Twitter) feed that appears in areas like the dashboard or social sections. Click “add social media account” and add the username for the institution's Twitter account. If you added your X (Twitter) feed earlier in the content section, you will see your X account connected here, and no further action is needed.


List and Descriptions of Blocks

Login and Dashboard

Call to Action

A call-to-action (CTA) card is an interactive element that prompts admitted students to take a desired action.

  • Title: Users won't see this, but it's helpful to manage your content

  • Text: Descriptive text explaining the call to action and why it's important

  • Button text: The text you want to be displayed on the button (e.g., Click here to register now!)

  • Button link: The URL to where you want the button to take the student

  • Card visibility can be tailored to different audiences with labels (dashboard only)

    • If used on the login page, it will be visible to all audiences

You can also adjust the card style by selecting a background icon or uploading your own image.

Factoid

Factoid cards are an effective way to showcase accomplishments, rankings, awards, and other noteworthy details that prospective students would find compelling. They add visual interest to a page and quickly communicate key messaging in an easy-to-digest format.

  • Highlighted number: prominent number and symbol (if applicable) to draw attention (e.g., #1)

  • Title: A short, impressive line of text or statement summarizing the factoid (e.g., #1 Nursing Program in the State)

  • Description: Provide context or explanation of the factoid and why it is important

  • Card visibility can be tailored to different audiences with labels (dashboard only)

    • If used on the login page, it will be visible to all audiences

You can also adjust the card colors and add a background icon under the Design tab.

Text

The text card is a simple, flexible component that displays a title and descriptive content. Text cards work well for including narrative information. For example, they can display details on campus culture, student life, academic overview, admission process, etc. You could consider adding a "Did You Know" card or maybe a "How to Find Your Campus ID Number" card. The title and text provide helpful context without requiring the user to take action.

  • Title: Title text prominently displayed at the top of the card

  • Text: Paragraph text below the title to share information (Tip: Use numbered or bulleted lists to increase your use cases for the text card)

  • Card visibility can be tailored to different audiences with labels (dashboard only)

    • If used on the login page, it will be visible to all audiences.

Dashboard Only

Featured Event

The featured event card is linked to the Events module in Element451, allowing you to feature an upcoming event to highlight.

  • Great location to place emphasis on a specific event, especially those required for admitted students like orientation

  • Card visibility can be tailored to different audiences with labels

Featured Location

The featured location card links to the Location Explorer section of your microsite. Upon adding, you must select from previously added locations.

  • Highlight an important point of interest for your institution or city on the dashboard. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase historical landmarks on campus or popular destinations for new students.

  • Card visibility can be tailored to different audiences with labels

For more information on the Location Explorer and adding locations, view the next section.

Media

Profile

The profile card is a great opportunity for showcasing the influential and notable people at the institution. It allows admitted students to get to know these individuals and learn about their unique stories, which can help to create a sense of connection and belonging.

  • Displays a photo, name, title, and descriptive text

  • Can highlight student peers, faculty, campus leaders, etc.

  • Useful for student testimonials, faculty spotlights, featuring athletes

  • Card visibility can be tailored to different audiences with labels


List and Description of Sections

Academic

The academic section displays details on the student's intended major and engages admitted students by providing an interactive overview of their intended program of study. Students have the ability to select a different major, providing the option to explore other programs if interests change.

  • Pulls in majors added in the Majors Settings of the microsite

  • Shows the student's intended major but allows selecting a different one for exploration purposes

  • Display example courses for the major as individual cards

  • Additional cards like text, CTA, profile, and factoid can be added

*In addition to a section, a card is also added to the dashboard.

Also, see the Career section.

Acceptance Package

The acceptance package section is connected to the Decisions Module and displays a student's package details.

  • Displays acceptance letter, financial aid package, and other custom packages

  • Allows downloading acceptance letters and reviewing aid offers

  • Can link to cost of attendance data for budgeting

  • Additional cards like CTA's can be added to direct next steps

  • Provides a centralized hub for students to view their admission status, awards, and terms after being accepted

Career

The career section provides customized career and job information for each major. It helps admitted students understand the experiential education, networking, and employment opportunities associated with their intended major.

*In addition to a section, a card is also added to the dashboard.

It pulls data entered in the Majors section career information tab, which can include:

  • Sample careers and work settings graduates can pursue

  • Skills and competencies the major develops

  • Placement highlights like employer partners and alumni roles

  • Average salary range for related positions

  • Student clubs and organizations related to the field

Checklist

The checklist section enables you to provide a customizable, relevant to-do list for admitted students on their microsite. For admitted students, a checklist can empower them to self-navigate critical post-acceptance actions leading up to enrollment.

*In addition to a section, a card is also added to the dashboard.


The key components of a checklist card include:

  • Institutions create checklists with important to-do tasks

  • Checklists can be tailored to different audiences via labels

  • Students self-manage their checklist and manually check off items

  • Progress is private - staff cannot view status

  • Helps guide students through key steps like paperwork, deposits, orientation, etc.

Documents*

General*

Location Explorer

The location explorer section allows you to showcase points of interest near campus or within the local community on your microsite. By adding the location explorer, you can engage admitted students and get them acquainted with the surrounding area.

  • Location cards for highlighted points of interest

    • Categories of cards include accommodation/hotel, arts and culture, education, entertainment, food, medical, parks and outdoors, photo spots, sports, shopping, and travel

    • Filter location cards by category

    • Each location card can contain the address, distance from the institution, photos, contact information, and details

  • Displays as map pins or as clickable location cards

  • Highlight a specific location card on the dashboard by adding the Featured Location block

  • Subpage visibility can be tailored to different audiences with labels

Social*

Did this answer your question?