A school website can be an invaluable tool for connecting parents, teachers and school officials. With such a website in place, you can keep the parents of your students well informed on the current events in your school, as well as provide them a way of easily contacting and locating the school. Setting up a school website is a simple process, but does require certain considerations.

Choose a domain name. To determine if your desired domain name is already taken, simply type it into the address bar of your web browser. If the domain name comes up with no results, you may claim it. There are also several popular domain registration companies in operation on the web where you can check availability and purchase domains. Prices of domain name registration vary between companies.

Find a web host. Web hosts vary between their prices and their capabilities, so choose the best web host for you. Be aware of differences between web hosts, such as how much traffic each host can support and whether or not they will provide you with site email addresses.

Purchase or use free web design software. Web design software will allow you to use premade templates for your school website or allow you to build your own site designs using their guidance and tools.

Display a contact page on your school's website where parents can reach the work numbers and email addresses of school officials and teachers.

Display calendars that show the dates of sporting events and other significant school functions. Provide lists of deadlines that parents will need to know about, such as when the money for school pictures or yearbooks is due. It is also beneficial to include a separate page for each teacher so that they can show their own specific due dates that parents need to know about, such as due dates of major science projects.

Include areas of your website to display school policies. Include your school's mission and links to the curriculum and student handbook as a resource for parents and students.

Post interesting, relevant content about the school and its activities. Include articles and photographs of events, plus other material such as the history of the school, profiles of students and teachers, school news releases, messages from administrators, student commentary, and updates on matters such as construction projects, administrative changes, and notable developments. Use the school's website as a supplement to the school newspaper and yearbook, if appropriate.

Include driving and location maps so parents can easily find your school.

Inform parents of the new school website by sending out emails are fliers for students to take home.