We all know how schools and colleges used to get admissions—word of mouth, local reputation, banners, and sometimes newspaper ads. But that’s not how it works anymore.

Today, the first thing parents and students do is Google your school. They check your website, your Instagram, your reviews, and compare you to five other places—before they even call you.

And that’s exactly where most education brands mess up.
Not because they don’t care, but because they’re doing it the old way in a new world.

Here are 7 of the biggest digital marketing mistakes schools and colleges make—and what to actually do instead.

1. Treating Your Website Like a Brochure

Let’s be honest—some school websites look like they haven’t been touched since 2015. Long paragraphs, boring design, no way to actually reach out. Parents visit, get confused, and leave.What to do instead:
Make your website clean, modern, and super easy to use. Have an enquiry form that works. Show real campus photos. Add a video. Tell people what to do next—Book a tour, Talk to admissions, Download a brochure. Simple wins.

2. Forgetting Local SEO

If I’m a parent searching “best CBSE school near Kothrud,” and your school doesn’t show up, you’re invisible. It doesn’t matter how good your facilities are.

What to do instead: Update your Google Business Profile. Use keywords like “top ICSE school in Mangalore” on your website. Get some good reviews. SEO isn’t magic—it’s just a smart setup.

3. Only Posting Festival Wishes on Social Media

Posting “Happy Diwali” with a stock image once a month doesn’t count as digital marketing. That’s not engagement—that’s noise. What to do instead:
Show your real school life. Behind-the-scenes. Student wins. Fun reels. Alumni stories. Parents want to feel your school’s vibe online. Be real, not robotic.

4. Getting Leads but Not Following Up

This is a big one. You run ads, get 100 leads… and then? No follow-up. Or maybe one call and done. That’s how you lose warm leads to your competitors. What to do instead:
Set a process. Email the parent in 24 hours. WhatsApp them a brochure. Call after two days. Don’t wait for them to chase you—you chase them politely.

5. Boosting Posts Without a Real Plan

We’ve all done this—“boost this post for ₹300.” But that’s not a strategy. That’s throwing money and hoping it sticks. What to do instead:
Target the right audience. Time your ads around admissions season. Create campaigns, not random boosts. Talk to parents like you understand what they want—safety, good academics, and holistic development. Not just flashy designs.

6. Not Knowing What’s Working

Likes don’t equal leads. Many schools feel good about 100 likes, but don’t know if anyone actually clicked or enquired. What to do instead:
Use tools like Google Analytics or Meta Ad Manager. Track which ad or post brought real enquiries. Double down on what works. Don’t waste effort on “vanity metrics.”

7. Trying to Handle Everything In-House

This one hurts, but it’s true. Your front office team shouldn’t be expected to run your Instagram, update your site, and follow up on leads—all while handling admissions calls. What to do instead:
Either hire someone with real digital skills or work with a team that gets education marketing. Outsource the headache. Focus on what you do best—running your school.

Final Thoughts: The Game Has Changed

The way parents choose schools has shifted. It’s no longer just about location or fees—it’s about trust, first impressions, and how your brand shows up online.

Digital marketing is not just for the “big” schools. It’s for every school that wants to grow in today’s world.

And here’s the truth:
It doesn’t take a huge budget.
It doesn’t need viral videos.
It just needs clarity, consistency, and care.

Fix these 7 mistakes, and you’ll already be ahead of most of your competition. Because when parents Google, scroll, or click, you want to be the one they remember.