National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities

NAICU Modernizes Its Digital Presence with a Dynamic, User-Friendly Umbraco Website

https://www.naicu.edu/

The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) partnered with Wakefly to modernize its website and strengthen digital engagement. Built on Umbraco CMS, the new site features a clean, responsive design, improved navigation, and easier content management. Key upgrades include a secure member portal with SSO and a custom news management system. Since launch, NAICU has seen a 73% increase in new visitors and a 43% rise in sessions, reflecting stronger engagement and a more impactful digital presence.

Skills used

SEO
Accessibility
Mobile
Support
Design

Sectors

Associations & Membership
Education
Public sector & charity

Partner working on the case

Company:: Wakefly, Inc.
Website:: https://www.wakefly.com/what-we-do/umbraco-partner/
Type:: Platinum

Background

The key challenge for the NAICU team was to provide an intuitive online experience for their broad audience while maintaining an easy-to-use platform for internal content management. Wakefly’s solution centered on improving usability through a simplified navigation system and reorganizing content to ensure users could quickly find relevant information. The design also needed to align with NAICU’s mission of supporting independent higher education while modernizing the overall look and feel of the site.

One of the primary objectives was to increase the visibility of calls to action (CTAs), which would encourage users to engage more with the content and drive further interaction with the site. Additionally, the new site needed to offer a streamlined content management process, empowering NAICU’s internal team to update the site with minimal technical expertise.

Solution

Wakefly implemented a custom, responsive design optimized for mobile, tablet, and desktop devices, ensuring that users could easily access the site from any platform. The Umbraco CMS was chosen for its flexibility and ease of use, allowing for extensive customization to meet NAICU’s specific needs. With the new CMS, Wakefly restructured the website’s content and search functionality, making it easier for users to find the information they were seeking.

A secure member portal was also integrated with Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication, providing NAICU’s members with exclusive access to important resources and collaboration tools. This feature ensured a smooth, secure experience for users while managing member interactions. Additionally, custom features were developed, such as a news-type management system, which simplified content updates and allowed NAICU to maintain the site without relying on extensive technical resources.

increase in users

increase in sessions

increase in pageviews

Impact

The redesigned website has produced impressive results in the first year following its launch. There was a 73% increase in new website visitors compared to the previous year, as well as a 43% increase in sessions. On a monthly basis, the Umbraco website sees between 15,000-20,000 users. These improvements translated into better user engagement, with a noticeable uptick in interactions and a more efficient administrative workflow for the NAICU team.

The new site is not only scalable but also enhances the digital experience for NAICU’s community. It strengthens their role as a leader in advocating for independent higher education institutions and positions them for continued success in the future.

Conclusion

This project highlights Wakefly’s expertise in delivering tailored web solutions for non-profit organizations, particularly using the Umbraco platform to create flexible, user-friendly digital experiences. Through this transformation, NAICU has successfully achieved a modern, scalable online presence that supports their strategic goals and maximizes their digital impact, all while ensuring a streamlined and efficient internal workflow.

Key Features