Want More Admissions? Here Are 10 Proven Online Strategies (Use Cases Of Brands Included)

Technology is transforming businesses and industry sectors massively. Education is no exception. Technology is changing the way students engage with universities and educational institutions.

Gone are the days when educational institutions relied entirely on brochures or campus visits for student enrolment. Physical campus visits were the only option for aspiring students and their families.

Fast forward to the present day –

• A 2023 study shows 87% of students begin their college search process online.
• In a 2022 survey, nearly 60% of Indian students researched colleges primarily through digital platforms. 

Needless to say, the percentages have definitely gone up as the latest Statista Research finds that 80% of students at higher education levels own a smartphone.

If you’re in the education sector and reading this, this insight should send you a signal:

Online engagement is no longer optional—it’s essential.

But that alone is not sufficient. Educational institutions must use marketing strategies to attract students. 

We’re going to talk about 10 chosen and proven strategies. These strategies aren’t theoretical – they’ve been tested and implemented successfully by some of the biggest brands in Indian education, such as IIT Bombay and IIM Ahmedabad.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a small college or a major university; these strategies will offer practical, actionable steps to help you increase student recruitment and grow your online presence. You can mix-match them to meet your objectives and use them.

1)Use Data to Deeply Understand Prospective Students

Data-driven marketing has taken over the world of student recruitment. Understanding your audience has never been a more pressing need.

By analyzing demographics, interests, and online behaviors, you can tailor your digital marketing strategies to appeal directly to the students most likely to apply.

Using tools like Google Analytics, CRM systems, and social media insights, you can create student personas that help craft personalized outreach.

Take IIT Bombay, for example.

They used data to understand student preferences, ensuring their recruitment efforts targeted the right academic background and interests. This resulted in a 25% increase in applications from out-of-state students.

With data at your fingertips, you can engage students in a meaningful way. Using data, you can segment your target student audience. With this, you can create better-personalized content and ensure you do not miss any prospective students.

Here’s an example of how it works:

Let’s say you use data from your institution’s website and social media platforms (via Google Analytics, CRM tools, and social insights) to understand your prospective students’ interests and behaviours.

You notice that a group of visitors frequently browses courses related to computer science and engineering. You can segment this audience and send them personalized email campaigns featuring:

• Information on specialized computer science programs.
• Success stories from alumni in tech careers.
• Invitations to webinars or Q&A sessions with faculty from the computer science department.

2) Create a Mobile-Optimized and User-Friendly Website

It’s official now. Google has shifted to mobile-first indexing. That means the websites that are not viewable or functional on mobile devices will be pulled further down in the ranking alley.

Google’s algorithms prioritize mobile-friendly websites with responsive designs, fast loading times, and user-friendly interfaces.

If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re losing out on a huge chunk of potential students because 80% of students use mobile devices for college research.

Use case- IIM Ahmedabad revamped its website to be fully mobile-responsive, and the results spoke for themselves around a 30% increase in student applications within the first quarter.

If you haven’t yet optimized your website for mobile, it’s time you follow the Gurus.

3) Run Social Media Campaigns with Student Ambassadors

When it comes to trust, students want to hear from real people, not just institutions. This is where the role of student ambassadors comes into play.

Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn are the perfect hubs for student ambassadors to share their personal stories, experiences, and successes.

By featuring current students, you not only engage prospective students but also add an authentic touch to your posts and attract prospective students.

 IIT Mumbai uses student-led campaigns on Instagram, where students share their campus life, their challenges, and why they love their college. This humanizes the institution, making it feel more relatable.

They encourage students to share their experiences on social media. 

4) Build Interactive Content for Increased Engagement

Students today are used to instant feedback and interaction. They like to participate in conversations. That’s why interactive content such as polls, quizzes, webinars, and Q&A sessions- is one of the best ways to keep them engaged.

Interactive content not only builds excitement but also helps institutions understand what prospective students are looking for.

“81% of marketers agree that interactive content like calculators, quizzes, surveys, and polls are much more effective at grabbing people’s attention than static content.

This is what makes interactive content a perfect tool to generate new leads and grow your contact list.

Because this kind of content offers real value to users, it makes it worth their while to give up their contact information if they’re getting something in return”. Source: Forbes.

5) Respond Fast! (Use Automation and CRM Tools)

Speed matters.

Today’s students expect instant responses.  Delayed communication can cost you a potential lead.

Making good use of CRM tools and automation can help you keep up with the fast pace of modern student inquiries.

LeadSquared (a B2B company that provides a software-as-a-service, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform), mentions that implementing CRM automation can lead to:

• Eliminating drop-offs with student engagement workflows.
• Personalized communications.
• Automating task scheduling, sending reminders, and website visit notifications.
• Helps improve counselor productivity.

6) Use Video Marketing for Campus Life and Program Highlights

Video marketing is one of the most powerful tools in today’s digital marketing arsenal.

87% of marketers say video content increases website traffic. Students like it because it’s visual, dynamic, and informative.

Creating virtual campus tours, day-in-the-life videos, and alumni interviews can give prospective students an inside look at what to expect.

IIM Ahmedabad has mastered the art of video content, offering students a sneak peek into campus life, course highlights, and faculty expertise.

Their YouTube channel is a hub for prospective applicants, with thousands of views each month.

7) Offer Virtual Open Houses and Webinars

Hosting virtual open houses and webinars is an excellent way to engage with prospective students. These sessions allow real-time interaction with admissions staff, current students, and faculty. The best part? You can reuse the content as recorded webinars keep attracting leads long after the live session.

Schools that host virtual events see higher engagement rates, better communication, and more applications.

Example: SRV Edge has done this effectively for Queen Mary University of London.

Strategy

The final strategy included promoting virtual and offline student engagement activities such as virtual connect sessions.

Result

• The UG intake for 2023 from India saw a rise of 140%.
• PG saw a rise in intake by 23%.

8) Personalize Communication with AI and Segmented Emails

Personalization is the key to success in the modern communication system.

AI-powered tools can create tailored email journeys for students based on their interests, application stage, or academic background.

Segmenting your emails whether by academic program or geographic location—ensures your messages reach the right audience.

Example: SRV Edge did this for Symbiosis International (Deemed) University.

Strategy

They nurtured registered candidates with compelling personalized Email, WhatsApp, and SMS marketing; emphasizing the highlights of the brand- legacy, range of specializations, placements, and more with the help of Wabo and GetaMsg platforms.

Result 

• There were 28,773 paid applications from campaigns by SRV Edge, which contributed 40% of total paid applications.
• Organic traffic increased by 11.78%, respectively and paid traffic increased by 29.45%.

9) Showcase Success Stories and Alumni Outcomes

Success speaks louder than any advertisement.

Alumni stories and testimonials build credibility and highlight the long-term benefits of attending your institution.

Share how your graduates have gone on to succeed in their careers.

For example, IIT Mumbai regularly showcases its alumni on social media, sharing stories of how their education shaped their careers.

These stories resonate with prospective students, giving them a glimpse into what they can achieve post-graduation.

Here’s another shot from IIM.

10) Use Retargeting (Remarketing) Ads to Re-Engage Prospective Students

Have you ever visited a website and then seen ads for it pop up again on your social media feed?

That’s retargeting at work. Retargeting ads help engage students who have visited your site but haven’t yet applied.

Institutions using retargeting ads often see an increase in return website visits and application submissions.

Ads on platforms like Facebook, Google, and LinkedIn help keep your institution top-of-mind for prospective students.

Example: SRV Edge used this strategy, among others, for Parul University.

Result

• Improved the Leads to Admissions ratio by 5% compared to previous years.
• 20% Increase in total number of admissions y-o-y.

Final Thoughts

Using a digital marketing strategy to attract students is a choiceless choice every educational institution must adopt. We’ve discussed the ten strategies and also seen how universities got real results by implementing them.

The future of student recruitment is digital, and those who adapt to the online environment will see long-term success. Start implementing one or two of these tactics today and monitor the results. Gradually mix-match them and use data analytics to see results. Adjust your approach accordingly. 

Sectoral expertise is crucial for quick results without wasting time experimenting. You can partner with SRV Edge. We have over a decade’s experience serving the education sector including national and international universities.