Vital Design

03/31/2026

Prospective students aren’t just Googling anymore; they’re asking AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity for program recommendations, degree comparisons, and career advice.

That means your programs need to show up where students are searching, or you risk getting overlooked.

Our latest blog post walks you through generative engine optimization (GEO) and a practical 30-day plan to ensure you’re in the mix.

It’s a straightforward, actionable guide for higher ed marketing teams looking to stay ahead of AI-powered search trends. Check it out here: https://vitaldesign.com/geo-for-higher-education-plan/

03/05/2026

Seeing a low conversion rate on your paid campaigns?

Your ads might not be the problem. Your landing page probably is.

If you’re paying for traffic from search and social but sending people to a generic page, you’re leaving conversions on the table and lighting part of your budget on fire.

Custom landing pages can improve performance 3x–4x in weak campaigns and 10–20% in strong ones.

Better page. Better results. If you’re paying for clicks, make sure the destination is built to convert.

02/26/2026

Struggling to reach the right audience with your marketing?

CTV ads, a key part of OTT, are a powerful way to grow brand awareness among high-intent audiences.

Max shared on the Married 2 Marketing podcast why higher ed is a perfect fit for this platform. You can reach parents, students, or even graduate programs, whether you want to engage them separately or together—and tailor your message to the right audience at the right time.

With targeting by income, location, or job title, OTT helps make every impression count.

For higher ed, it’s more than an ad—it’s an opportunity to put yourself in front of prospective students who may not know you yet.

02/19/2026

We helped The Mortgage Office tackle a tricky challenge: launching a website while rebranding at the same time. Aligning design, strategy, and research wasn't easy, but the results speak for themselves.

From a flexible WordPress design to insight-led decisions, the new site is not only easier to manage and built to scale, but also effortlessly shows off TMO's brand with style.

Want a website that works as beautifully as it looks? Check out TMO and our other latest web projects below, and find out how we can build something smarter together.

https://vitaldesign.com/project/the-mortage-office-website-branding-project/

02/17/2026

Struggling to get seen on Google? You’re not alone.
Shopping ads. Paid search. AI overviews. Your blog? Often last in line.
Two years ago, a high-value query might have captured most clicks. Today? 30–50% less.
Organic Search isn’t dead, but it IS more competitive, and requires a true content strategy.
Max breaks down why the changes in modern SERP matter for marketers.

12/19/2025

Closing laptops, sipping cocoa, and taking a breather ✨
Vitalians are officially on holiday break until December 29 — wishing you all a joyful holiday season!

08/29/2025

When we asked Vitalians to share their moments for an end of summer roundup, they didn’t disappoint.

From a bucket list skydiving leap to cozy nights at home with foster kittens, our team sure kept busy when we were out of the office!

Here’s to a great summer full of memories and an even better fall ahead. 🧡

08/20/2025

In a competitive market, Semester at Sea needed a more effective way to engage prospective students and drive enrollments. With a strategic overhaul, the impact was undeniable:

- Conversions up 153%
- Conversion rate up 117%
- Deposited students up 200%
- Cost per deposited student down 57%

By shifting to conversion-focused goals, optimizing audience targeting, and refining ad platforms, we helped SAS maximize impact while reducing costs.

Read the full case study to see how it all happened! https://tinyurl.com/24ycs6rp

08/05/2025

Google’s AI Overviews are changing the SEO game — and the old playbook isn’t cutting it.

What is working? Writing like a human to start. Ironically, AI is getting better at picking up content that sounds like a real conversation.

Just ask our Director of Strategy, Max DesMarais. He broke it down with Cody McGuffie on the Built Online Podcast

Have you noticed the same trend? Think we’re missing something? Drop your take in the comments!

07/29/2025

Think your campus deserves the spotlight? A brand anthem video is how you make that happen, and we’ve got thoughts on why every college and university needs one.

From iconic campus shots to proud student moments, this isn’t an ad. It’s a heartfelt expression about who you are and what you stand for.

That’s why we put together a whole blog post on some of the best brand anthem videos out there — plus tips on how to create one of your own.

Want to see our full list and get tips on how to make one of your own? Check out the full blog post: https://vitaldesign.com/university-brand-anthem-videos/

And while you’re here, drop your favorite university brand anthem in the comments!

Explore how a university brand anthem video can boost your school's visibility — plus see 10 standout examples that combine emotion, story, and style.