The Impact of Enhanced Profiles: Driving Visibility and Engagement for Institutions and Departments

In today’s competitive higher education landscape, universities need to maximise their online presence to effectively engage with prospective students. Over the past year, we launched our enhanced Institution and Department Profiles on FindAMasters and FindAPhD, and the results have been impressive. These profiles were designed to increase visibility and engagement, and our data shows that universities and individual departments that have upgraded are seeing significant benefits.

For institutions and departments still considering the upgrade, here’s a look at how our enhanced profiles are delivering results.

Strong growth in page views for Institutions and Departments

Upgrading to enhanced profiles has resulted in a noticeable increase in traffic for both institutions and their departments. Two recruiting universities that upgraded their institution profiles saw an average 795% uplift in page views. This was further boosted by some universities running Billboard campaigns alongside their profile upgrade, ensuring broader visibility.

At a department level, several departments saw a 365% average increase in page views, with some departments doubling their traffic through a combination of Featured Programmes and the enhanced profile. These results show that enhanced profiles can drive visibility at both the institutional and departmental levels, offering an effective way to connect with students.

Significant increases in email enquiries

Both institutions and departments have also reported significant increases in direct enquiries. Universities with enhanced institution profiles saw an average 44% increase in email enquiries, while departments with upgraded profiles reported an up to 30% rise in direct communication from prospective students.

For instance, one department that combined an enhanced profile with an Audience Extension campaign reported a 50% increase in email enquiries year-on-year, further demonstrating the synergy between profile upgrades and complementary advertising products.

Success across different university types

The success of enhanced profiles isn't limited to traditional institutions; online learning providers have also seen impressive results. An online provider saw a 395% surge in profile views and a 45% rise in external referrals after upgrading to the new profile, complemented by a an Featured Programmes campaign that targeted the right audience.

At the department level, a Russell Group university’s department saw a 31.5% increase in enquiries after upgrading its profile and running a Billboard campaign. These case studies highlight the importance of enhanced profiles across various university types and departments.

How enhanced profiles and complementary products work together

While enhanced profiles drive significant results on their own, institutions and departments that paired their upgrades with our additional advertising products saw even greater success. By combining enhanced profiles with Billboard campaigns, Featured Programmes, and Audience Extension campaigns, universities have seen boosted visibility, driving both traffic and enquiries.

For departments looking to stand out from the rest of the institution or to highlight specific programmes, Featured Programmes and Audience Extension campaigns have been particularly effective in targeting students with specific academic interests, driving engagement with relevant content.

Maximising the impact of enhanced profiles

The data is clear: upgrading to our enhanced profiles can drive real, measurable outcomes for both institutions and their departments. Whether your goal is to increase visibility, generate more enquiries, or enhance engagement with prospective students, the results speak for themselves.

For departments, especially those competing for attention within larger institutions, enhanced profiles, when paired with our advertising products, offer a unique way to stand out. Whether it’s a Billboard campaign that maximises visibility or a Featured Programme that highlights specific courses, the combination of these products can significantly increase engagement.

Whether you’re representing an institution or a department, now is the perfect time to explore how our enhanced profiles and complementary campaigns can help you achieve your recruitment goals. Contact us today to learn more about upgrading your profile and how our products can work together to enhance your presence.