Visitor Roles: Moorhead and Bemidji Future Students Pages

Moorhead: Future Students-Academics

I decided to further explore future students page by clicking on the academics page. Here are my findings:

In big bold letters is the heading "We Have What You Want." It makes want to answer with "Oh really..." So it does persuade me to read further even though I feel cynical from that bold proclamation.

They hype up the academics program by listing adjectives like "well rounded, exceptional, real-world, outstanding, beautiful, student friendly, affordable, quality." They sure seem sure of themselves.

The next bold heading says, "Our Faculty Put You First" They spend a full separate paragraph talking about the experienced professionals they have at the college, and how we will get all kind of one-on-one attention. This is a constant emphasis throughout the site.

When I read this page, I hear a recruiter's voice in my head. It sounds more like a salesmen not like a parent. However, it seems a little pushy, like a kerby vaccuum cleaner salesmen. They don't want you to walk away from this page indecisive. They are sure they have "what you want."

As a visitor, I would be a student looking around to see possibly if this college offered the major or classes I wanted.

Bemidji: Future Students-Academics

I used Bemidji State's website to compare and contrast Moorhead's academics page. These are my findings:

This had a paragraph, not in bold, telling you that you can get more information of the links below, and it wants to show us what they have to offer.

The adjective used to sell us something is "easy to understand," and that's technically talking about the site itself.

It simply lists the different subjects or departments and suggests you "read more" to the link.

There is absolutely nothing pushy about this page. It presents it self as a college who is just here for your questions, but isn't necessarily telling you that you have to go to their college.

I would say the speaker seems more like a person, maybe a friend, just letting you knwo the basics, and telling you to find out more for yourself. They aren't trying to convince you, just give you information and you can figure it out for yourself.

I think as a visitor I would be a student looking for a college that offered my major of classes I wanted, same as the as the visitor role at Moorhead.