Top 11 Tips for Creating an Educational Website

Create a design plan for an educational website

The first phase of creating any educational website is detailed design and structure planning. This involves understanding your target audience, functionalities, and visual identity of the site. In web design, a responsive format is now a basic standard to make content easily accessible on all devices.

Defining the target audience and goals is essential for creating a functional and attractive educational site. You should know what your users expect and how they will use the platform – whether for learning, resources, or administration.

Defining target audience and goals

• Identify the needs of students, teachers, and parents. Consider education level, age group, and specific requirements.
• Set clear educational goals and site functionalities. For example, will the platform offer online courses, discussion forums, or assessment tools?

Creating wireframes and prototypes

Use tools like Figma or Adobe XD for visual planning. Wireframes allow a clear view of page layout and navigation, which is crucial before finalizing the design.

Clarify page structure, define how users will navigate content, and how menus will be organized. This simplifies subsequent programming and customization.

Focus on unique services and features

The success depends on how well your educational site is tailored to user needs and what specially designed features you offer. Choosing the right CMS or LMS platform plays a key role in this process.

Choosing the right CMS or LMS platform

• WordPress with educational plugins like LearnPress or LifterLMS simplifies content management and course creation, especially if you want ease and quick customization.
• Moodle or Canvas are platforms aimed at online courses and require more technical knowledge but offer high functionality for educational institutions.

Implementing SEO and security standards

Optimization for Google and other search engines is necessary for your educational site to be easily found. This involves selecting and using the right keywords and ensuring fast content loading speeds.

Security is equally important. Besides HTTPS protocols, ensure data protection in accordance with GDPR standards. This includes safeguarding personal data of students, teachers, and administrative staff.

Examples of the best educational platforms in 2026

Worldwide, there are numerous examples commonly used as model platforms, while in Serbia there are systems adapted to local needs.

Serbian educational platforms

• skolskiportal.edu.me – informational portal aimed at schools and teachers, with many resources and news.
• ucidoma.edu.me – platform for online teaching during the pandemic, now further expanded and functional for standard conditions.
• podaci.edu.me – portal for collecting and presenting educational statistics, enabling transparency and analytics in real-time.

International examples and best practices

• Khan Academy provides free content for students worldwide, using gamification and data analysis to improve the learning experience.
• Platforms like Moodle or Canvas offer high flexibility, extensive personalization, and interoperability with other systems, making them popular choices globally.

How to prepare content before starting development

Content preparation is the foundation of every successful educational site. Well-organized and high-quality content ensures higher user engagement and more effective learning.

Gathering and structuring educational resources

• Create content plans and courses in advance, including video lessons, texts, exercises, and assignments.
• Use multimedia elements – images, videos, and interactive tests – to increase student engagement.

Writing and SEO optimization of content

Keywords are the basis for SEO. Incorporate relevant terms such as “educational site,” “CMS,” or “responsive design” into texts, titles, and meta descriptions.

Regularly update content and use analytics to monitor success. This helps optimize and adapt the platform to actual user needs.

Challenges of development and realistic solutions

Behind every successful educational site are challenges, but overcoming them is possible if you have the right approach and resources available.

Low digital literacy of teaching staff

• Organize training sessions and workshops to prepare teachers for working with new platforms.
• Create simple instructions and tutorials to facilitate adaptation and self-learning.

Inadequate infrastructure and internet connection

• Using offline modules and PWA (progressive web app) technologies allows access to content even in rural and less-equipped areas.
• Planning hosting services with high performance and availability is crucial for smooth platform operation.

Latest trends and standards for educational websites in 2026

Development in this area is moving toward greater accessibility, security, and personalization. Existing standards and legal requirements shape the legal and technical framework for developing educational platforms.

Existing developments and anticipated trends

• The post-pandemic period has significantly accelerated the development of hybrid and online programs, which will continue to be dominant in the future.
• The focus is on data security, accessibility for all users, and integration of artificial intelligence into personalized educational processes.

International standards and certification

• WCAG 2.1 is mandatory for accessibility of websites aimed at the public, including educational platforms.
• GDPR regulates data protection, while SCORM ensures interoperability of e-learning.
• Current trends include the use of AI tutors available via chatbots and VR classrooms for interactive work.

Top 10 statistics on digitalization of education in Serbia

Key data and figures

• 24,008 participants in the research – students, teachers, and administrators[1].
• 71.4% of secondary education students have lower secondary education, 28.6% have higher[1].
• 10% of schools in rural areas are equipped with digital equipment adapted for basic online teaching[1].
• RZS plans to develop central portals for monitoring educational statistics by 2030, including digital analytics[2].
• Over 80% of teachers use digital tools in regular classes, according to recent surveys[1].
• The average internet speed in schools is 20 Mbps, but is significantly lower in rural areas[1].
• The share of digital educational resources in teaching has increased by 35% since 2020[2].
• More than 50% of schools use Google Classroom or similar platforms[8].
• Planned increase of the education digitalization budget by 15% annually until 2030[2].
• Specialized projects for developing AI in education are in pilot phases[4].

Key sources and relevant references

Serbian and regional sources

• Draft Strategy for Digitization of the Education System 2022-2027 – a document addressing infrastructure, content, and standards development.
• Decision on the official statistics program 2026-2030 by RZS, focusing on modernizing data collection and analysis.
• Republički zavod za statistiku – with detailed data on schools, students, and teachers in Serbia.
• Center for Educational Policies – a research center monitoring European and OECD guidelines in education.