Websites using Schoolinsites

Okay, let s break down SchoolSites, covering its overview, revenue (though that s often hard to pinpoint precisely for private companies), alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

Overview of SchoolSites (now part of Finalsite)

SchoolSites was a popular provider of website design and content management system (CMS) solutions specifically tailored for K-12 schools, districts, and educational organizations. However, SchoolSites was acquired by Finalsite in December 2021. So, the product itself is now integrated into the Finalsite platform.

• Key Features (Prior to integration and still relevant in the Finalsite context):

  • Website Design: Offered visually appealing and professional website templates designed to be responsive (mobile-friendly).
  • Content Management System (CMS): Provided an easy-to-use CMS that allowed non-technical staff (teachers, administrators, etc.) to update and manage website content, including news, calendars, announcements, directories, and more.
  • Communication Tools: Features for sending newsletters, mass emails, and emergency alerts.
  • Calendar Management: Integrated calendars for events, schedules, and deadlines.
  • Forms and Surveys: Tools to create online forms for admissions, surveys, and other data collection.
  • Directory Management: The ability to create and manage online directories for staff, students, and parents.
  • Integration: Often integrated with other school systems like student information systems (SIS).

• Target Audience: K-12 schools (private, public, charter), school districts, independent schools, and educational organizations.

Revenue

• Difficult to Determine Precisely: SchoolSites was a privately held company prior to being acquired. They did not publicly disclose their revenue. It s now folded into Finalsite s overall revenue, which is also not typically made public.
• Likely Based on Subscriptions: The business model was likely based on recurring subscription fees, dependent on the size of the school or district, the features selected, and the level of support.

Alternatives to SchoolSites (Now, mostly alternatives to Finalsite, or other school website providers):

Since SchoolSites is now part of Finalsite, when considering alternatives, you re really comparing against Finalsite and other similar platforms. Here are some key competitors:

• Finalsite: (Obviously, the current owner of SchoolSites functionality). Known for a comprehensive suite of tools and a focus on larger schools and districts.
• Blackbaud: Offers a broad range of solutions for schools, including website management, fundraising, and student information systems. A major player, often targeting larger institutions.
• Campus Suite: Provides website and communication solutions for schools and colleges. A popular choice with a good reputation.
• Edlio: Focuses on K-12 website solutions with an emphasis on affordability and ease of use.
• WordPress with Education Themes/Plugins: A very flexible option. Schools can build websites using WordPress and customize them with themes and plugins specifically designed for education. Requires more technical expertise or hiring a developer.
• School Webmasters: Dedicated to providing website management, maintenance and support services for schools, districts and organizations.
• Other CMS Platforms: Consider general-purpose CMS platforms like Wix, Squarespace, or Weebly. These might be suitable for very small schools or schools with limited needs, but they often lack the specific features and integrations that education-focused platforms provide.

Pricing

• No Publicly Available Pricing: SchoolSites (and now Finalsite) typically do not publish their pricing on their websites.

• Quote-Based Pricing: Pricing is generally customized based on the specific needs of the school or district. Factors that influence price include:

  • Size of the school or district (number of students, staff, schools)
  • Features selected (e.g., website design, CMS, communication tools, SIS integration)
  • Level of support and training required
  • Contract length

• Expect Subscription Fees: The pricing model is almost certainly a recurring subscription fee (annual or multi-year contracts). Be prepared to request a detailed quote from the vendor.

Customer Care Details (Finalsite s Approach):

Since Finalsite absorbed SchoolSites, the customer care is now handled through Finalsite s support system. Here s what you can expect:

• Support Channels:
  • Dedicated Support Team: Finalsite typically assigns a dedicated support team or account manager to each client.
  • Online Help Center/Knowledge Base: Finalsite has extensive documentation, FAQs, and tutorials available online.
  • Phone Support: Finalsite offers phone support during business hours.
  • Email Support: Email support is also available.
  • Community Forums: Finalsite often has online community forums where users can ask questions and share tips.
• Training and Onboarding:
  • Initial Training: Finalsite provides training to help schools get started with the platform.
  • Ongoing Training: They may offer ongoing training sessions, webinars, or workshops.
• Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Finalsite likely has SLAs that outline their response times and uptime guarantees. Be sure to review these carefully.
• Reputation: Finalsite s customer support reputation is generally considered good, but, as with any large company, experiences can vary. Check online reviews and ask for references to get a sense of their customer service.

Key Considerations When Choosing a School Website Platform (in the post-SchoolSites era):

• Ease of Use: How easy is the CMS for non-technical staff to learn and use?
• Features: Does the platform offer the features you need (e.g., calendar, news, forms, directories, communication tools, SIS integration)?
• Design: Does the platform offer attractive and responsive website templates?
• Integration: Does the platform integrate with your existing school systems (e.g., SIS, learning management system)?
• Support: What level of support and training is provided?
• Price: Get detailed quotes from multiple vendors and compare the total cost of ownership.
• Security: How secure is the platform? Does it meet industry standards for data privacy and security?
• Scalability: Can the platform scale to meet the growing needs of your school or district?
• Mobile-Friendliness: Is the website design responsive and optimized for mobile devices?
• Accessibility: Is the website accessible to people with disabilities (WCAG compliance)?

To get the most accurate and up-to-date information, I strongly recommend:

• Visiting the Finalsite website: Finalsite.com
• Contacting Finalsite directly: Request a demo and a custom quote.
• Reading customer reviews: Look for reviews on third-party websites like Capterra, G2, or TrustRadius.
• Talking to other schools: Ask for recommendations from schools that are using similar platforms.

Good luck with your search!