Accessible, audit-ready university websites from a senior engineering team.
How to Choose a Higher Ed Web Agency
Universities contend with unique technical and compliance needs. Web partners must deliver sites that are accessible, secure, scalable, and easy for campus teams to update—even when you have dozens or hundreds of departments. Here’s what to consider when comparing vendors:
1. Deep Experience in Higher Ed
- Ask for: Work samples and references for college/university web builds.
- Why it matters: Higher ed sites involve governance, multi-site networks, and integration with campus systems (catalogs, events, payment portals).
2. Serious Accessibility Expertise
- Ask for: Documentation of WCAG 2.1/2.2 and Section 508 conformance; real-world accessibility audit samples.
- Why it matters: Accessibility standards protect you from legal risk and ensure all users have equitable access.
3. Open-Source, Scalable Platforms
- Ask for: Experience with content management platforms like Drupal and WordPress.
- Why it matters: Open-source CMSs can handle multiple sites, roles, and custom workflows—without licensing lock-in.
4. Transparent Process & Support
- Ask for: Clear project plans, milestone schedules, and defined deliverables.
- Why it matters: You need predictable outcomes to coordinate with staff, admin and IT calendars. Ongoing support matters for updates, security and training.
5. Proven Compliance and Security
- Ask for: Verified security practices, references for government/nonprofit projects, and continuing compliance audits.
- Why it matters: Universities are frequent targets for cyberattacks—and compliance gaps can mean public scrutiny or funding risk.
University Web Development: Your 3 Main Options
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist Agency (like DoodleWeb) |
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| Solo Freelancer or Small Team |
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| In-House University Web Team |
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What Sets DoodleWeb Apart
- Experience with university and college digital strategy, multi-site governance, and large-scale content migration.
- WCAG and Section 508 accessibility built into every phase, with transparent documentation ready for audit.
- Integration with campus systems (events, CRMs, learning management tools, faculty profiles, payments, and more).
- Support for staff at every skill level, including training, custom guides, and post-launch updates.
- Project management and ongoing support tailored to university and nonprofit realities.
- Case studies and references available for higher-ed institutions with complex requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
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About this page
Fact-checked against 13 sources on 2026-10-21
Written and reviewed by Mark Yuasa, Account manager
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