Overview

California Western School of Law (CWSL) is a distinguished, independent law school accredited by the American Bar Association and the Association of American Law Schools. Based in San Diego, CWSL serves 600–700 students annually through its rigorous Juris Doctor program and boasts an alumni network exceeding 10,000.

The Challenge: Outdated Digital Infrastructure

CWSL's website had remained unchanged since the mid-2000s, resulting in:

Poor User Experience: Navigation, structure, and design failed to meet the expectations of prospective students, alumni, and other stakeholders.

Inefficient Content Presentation: Key information was buried in lengthy blocks of text, making it difficult for users to understand the school's unique value proposition.

Limited Functionality: Legacy systems and outdated technology hindered student and alumni self-service capabilities.

Lack of Modern Tools: The website lacked features such as personalization, multi-variate testing, and mobile responsiveness essential for engaging modern audiences.

The Solution: Building a Modern, User-Centric Platform

CWSL partnered with XCentium to reimagine its website, selecting Sitecore as the foundation for a future-proof and dynamic CMS.

Key Features of the Solution:

Modern CMS Architecture: A modular Sitecore implementation adhering to best practices, enabling seamless editing, robust personalization, and multi-variate testing capabilities.

Device-Agnostic Design: Using the Frameless Grid framework, the website delivers a highly optimized experience across mobile, tablet, and desktop devices.

Streamlined User Experience: Content was restructured into concise, impactful blocks, enhancing navigation and helping prospective students quickly understand CWSL’s distinct advantages.

Comprehensive System Integration:

InfoLink: Integration with the internal student database to support self-service functionalities like fee payment, profile updates, and appointment scheduling.

Raiser’s Edge: Custom Sitecore Web Forms for Marketers (WFFM) integration to streamline donations and alumni engagement.

VirtualMerchant: Payment processing tied seamlessly to InfoLink and Raiser’s Edge for smooth transactions.

Secure Access for Key User Groups: Password-protected areas provide tailored content and services for prospective students, alumni, and internal stakeholders.

Outcome: Driving Engagement and Efficiency

The transformation of CWSL’s website delivered tangible benefits for all user groups:

Prospective Students:

Access to dedicated resources, including fee payments, advisor engagement, and campus meeting bookings.

Enhanced navigation and content clarity increased conversions by helping students better understand the school’s unique offerings.

Alumni:

Personalized user profiles, event updates, and seamless donation options fostered stronger alumni engagement.

Integrated systems ensured efficient management of donations and alumni activities.

Operational Efficiency:

Sitecore’s intuitive tools enabled CWSL to quickly create, manage, and structure content, reducing reliance on external resources.

Payment forms and integrations were easily configured to support evolving business needs.

Stakeholder Feedback:

Positive reviews from students, alumni, and internal users highlighted the ease of use, intuitive design, and efficiency of the new platform.

Impact

Improved Conversions: The new site significantly increased prospective student applications and alumni donations.

Enhanced User Experience: Visitors now find information and services faster and more efficiently, resulting in higher satisfaction.

Scalable Infrastructure: The new system accommodates evolving needs, ensuring future readiness for CWSL’s growth.