Creating an award-winning multi-site strategy with Inspire Education Group

The Challenge: Creating a Unified Digital Presence Across a College Group

Following the merger of Peterborough College, Stamford College and University Centre Peterborough, IEG needed a complete digital overhaul.

The need arose for IEG to have multiple sites produced with a cohesive and cost-effective strategy. This initiated the start of a very successful collaboration between Itineris and IEG.  

Our role was to look at the pain-points and reasons for underperformance across their previous websites and unify them under a single strategy for cost-effectiveness. The aims were to boost engagement, optimise user journeys and ultimately generate online course applications while providing a product that was fully customisable from the CMS. 

Strategy

We developed a streamlined strategy to harmonise the user experience across all IEG websites. A refined course search system became the focal point, supported by key subject and course pages designed to deliver clear, targeted messaging. 

Each website followed a structured yet flexible framework, ensuring familiarity for both users and administrators. This approach balanced consistency with customisation – allowing each institution to tailor its platform through adaptable page layouts, content ordering, and stylistic elements. 

The user experience and interface were specifically configured to support increased course applications, higher quality apprenticeship leads and boost brand presence with search.

Design

The design across each website was accessibility-led, manoeuvring within the brand to ensure a compliant experience. The brand forms the foundation of each website, providing a consistent experience with layout and character styles. 

The website design made it easy for each institution’s distinctive sub-brands within IEG to enhance their pages while keeping them accessible. 

Customisable decoration was added to elements across the website in a way that supports the content, message and brand. 

By prioritising a mobile-first design philosophy, the websites are better suited to meet its user’s expectations across the board.

Delivery

The websites are carefully constructed to meet core web vitals, with optimised performance and rigorous testing to ensure functionality and security.

The projects were delivered and launched in close partnership with the team at IEG with a smooth handover. The Itineris team worked closely with IEG across the project timelines to load content and provide CMS training.

With our Data and Measurement package, we provide ongoing aftercare and pre-emptive search optimisation. These data insights lead to progressive front- and back-end enhancements, ensuring long-term success. Looker Studio, IEG can now make data-driven decisions to further enhance student recruitment and engagement.

A Partnership That Delivers Results

The impact of the new websites has exceeded expectations: 

• Up to a 400% increase in traffic from search
• Clicks on the search terms ‘Peterborough College’ and ‘Stamford College’ increased by 84% and 198%, respectively.
• 36% increase in engaged sessions across the websites
• Up to 13.5% uplift year-on-year on course applications in the first student recruitment cycle.

This measurable success demonstrates the effectiveness of our strategic approach. 

The Best Website Development award at the FE First Awards 2025 is a recognition of the industry-leading website delivery Itineris offers to the education sector. We’re delighted to be partnered with IEG who also took home the well-earned ‘Best of the Best’ award! 

If you’re looking to transform your organisation’s digital presence with a tailored multisite solution, get in touch with our team. We’d love to help you achieve award-winning results too. 

GOLD

Website Development Award at the FE First Awards 2025