The website for The University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) has been upgraded and all functionality has migrated to the FLUX WebEasy.NET platform.
Sue Swart, GIBS marketing director, said: “The new website is benchmarked against global best practices in terms of design and functionality and has been re-launched to facilitate our digital marketing strategy. We are committed to pursuing the Web2.0 and social networking opportunities and will continue to offer more value on our website.”
FLUX project manager, Tamsyn Kent, says: “Using the .NET application, FLUX customised products and features for GIBS’ requirements, most notable of which the public registration facility. Previously website visitors had to apply for each event separately, but now, registered users can apply for a course or event much quicker. Anyone who has attended a previous event need not re-enter their information for subsequent registrations because input details are now stored confidentially in a secure environment for future use. For busy people the tedious task of re-entering details has been eliminated. All they have to do is log in with their username and password but they have the option of accessing the ‘update profile link’ to update details at any time. “
Visitors to the site can now see and hear informative interviews and news snippets from business insights, trends from key thought leaders, lectures from academics and other relevant topics all available on audio and visual downloads and streaming on the website or through www.gibsfn.co.za. It’s well worth subscribing to GIBS FN, the business school’s multimedia podcast and video clip offering to keep on the cutting-edge of industry information.
Sue Swart says: “GIBS FN has been extremely popular and well received, as has been our Facebook group and our Twitter link. We will continue to embrace these digital channels as a central part of our marketing strategy.”
Tamsyn Kent says: “Another nifty upgrade is the MBA registration process which requires applicants to complete a comprehensive 12 page document. Now, this can be partially done and saved during the process, available for reopening and subsequent completion at a future time. This ‘save and continue later’ facility frees participants from having to finalise the application in one sitting or having to start from scratch should their registration be interrupted for any reason. This is a much more user-friendly function!”
The event calendar has also been made more efficient and effective. Internally, GIBS programme managers can now plug in upcoming events, new course details, seminar or conference information and forum events on one page linking these to other areas of the website where relevant.
Tamsyn Kent concludes: “The whole look and feel of the revamped design is cleaner and less cluttered with all navigation grouped together and easily visible and accessible. The previous vibrant colours have been toned down, and the faded and muted design makes the site more restful and approachable.”