This is a hidden post summary. It displays in the editor only.*
Rheinische Hochschule Köln
One of Germany's largest and Oldest University
Based in Cologne, Rheinische Hochschule Köln stands as a distinguished educational institution celebrated for its commitment to excellence and innovation. As one of the largest universities in Cologne and boasting a 60-year tradition, it holds a prominent place among Germany's oldest Universities of Applied Sciences.
Recognizing the importance of adaptation in an ever-evolving landscape, the university stakeholders resolved to modernize their brand while upholding their rich traditions and educational standards. Thus, they embarked on a transformative journey with SUNZINET, to modernize their brand, ensuring continued excellence for their students.
-
Success Indicators
Positive External Feedback
Improved SEO performance and keyword rank on page 1
Increase in website traffic
-
Project Date
Website live since March 2024
The Project
Modernize to accelerate growth
As part of its strategic initiative to modernize and enhance its visibility and engagement with prospective students and educational stakeholders, Rheinische Hochschule Köln approached SUNZINET for a comprehensive website relaunch and branding overhaul.
Positioned at the heart of the Rhineland, the university aimed to reposition itself as a pivotal educational institution and had the following goals with this Brand relaunch:
- Foster new brand acceptance among its target demographic.
- Significantly boost applications for its degree programs
Challenges & Our Objectives
Before our collaboration, Rheinische Hochschule Köln grappled with complex stakeholder dynamics, stakeholder engagement concerns, and financial constraints. For instance, the various stakeholders held different visions for the university's future.
To address these challenges and propel the university into the modern age, the following objectives were set:
- Establish a new brand strategy and corporate identity aligned with current institutional values and future aspirations.
- Develop a dynamic, user-friendly website to enhance user engagement and simplify the application process.
- Enhance the university's online and offline presence to elevate its recognition as a major educational pillar in the region.
-
It was important to facilitate change communication through extensive workshops and meetings.
This ensured that all the stakeholders were aligned and committed to the new brand vision.
-
Our strategy encompassed various methods aimed at enhancing Rheinische Hochschule Köln's digital presence, ensuring they meet the needs and expectations of prospective students.
We tailored personas and outreach strategies to different student segments while refining user interfaces and functionalities through A/B testing.
-
In our commitment to modernize Rheinische Hochschule Köln, we didn't stop at design adjustments. The project also encompassed a broader technological overhaul to enhance both the user experience and operational efficiency.
We implemented a state-of-the-art study program finder and launched the university's website via HubSpot.
This platform was selected for its robustness, ease of use, and adaptability, making it an ideal choice for educational environments.
By optimizing both the user experience and backend processes, we ensured a cost-effective yet impactful solution that supports mobile users and enriches content interaction.
Dive into the A/B test we conducted
Strategy Development with a scientific approach
We conducted the following A/B test to strategically refine Rheinische Hochschule Köln's branding, and develop the new Logo:
- This A/B Test targeted high school seniors and used an online survey to gauge the alignment of each logo with key brand values: innovation, modernity, and motivation.
- Participants were randomized into three groups, with each group evaluating one logo variant. They used a Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) across three dimensions: Innovation, Modernity, and Motivation.
- Statistical analysis showed that Logo B, with an overall perception score of 3.05, significantly outperformed Logo A (2.89) and the existing logo (2.23), especially in Modernity (3.49) (p<0.05).
This result indicated a strong preference for Logo B, which aligns better with the values of innovation, modernity, and motivation, making it the preferred choice to bring Rheinische Hochschule Köln into the modern age.
A fresh look with a new color palette, a new logo and revised lettering. As a response to the needs of its target group, whose viewing and reading habits have changed.
"The new logo illustrates the change and underlines the willingness of the Rheinische Hochschule Köln to innovate. The ebb and flow of the waves symbolize the life paths of our student..."
- Martin Topp, Managing Director and Chancellor
The Impact of our work
The effectiveness of the project was measured against a set of KPIs that included:
- Lead Generation and Conversion Rates: Since the website was launched earlier this year in March 2024, we are monitoring the increase in application submissions and engagement on the newly launched website.
- Accelerated Website Traffic and SEO performance: Enhanced visibility leading to increased organic search traffic and improved engagement metrics. For example, the website now ranks within the top 4 positions on Page 1 for important keywords such as 'Hochschule Köln' and 'studiengang psychologie köln'." (source, Sistrix)
- Stakeholder Feedback: Positive acclaim from internal stakeholders, foundational members, and increased positive coverage in notable publications like Cologne City Gazette and Designtagebuch.de.
- Quantitative Improvements: A notable uptick in website traffic and application rates, demonstrating the efficacy of the new branding and user experience enhancements.
Bringing Rheinische Hochschule Köln at the forefront of educational excellence
Through strategic foresight, innovative technology implementation, and a collaborative approach to stakeholder engagement, SUNZINET has successfully positioned Rheinische Hochschule Köln at the forefront of educational excellence in the Rhineland, paving the way for a future of sustained growth and increased academic engagement.
