Following a yearlong process, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has launched a completely new website that’s bolder, more visual and easier to navigate on all electronic devices.

The new site uses the same address, www.upb.pitt.edu, but incorporates more and larger photos, easier navigation, a more contemporary, wider design and a better experience for those using the site on a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet.

“The website is of primary importance in recruiting prospective students,” said Pat Frantz Cercone, executive director of communications and marketing. “It’s become our primary communications tool, so we needed a new design to more effectively communicate the Pitt-Bradford story.”

Web manager Jim Pascarella led the effort — from selecting mStoner Inc. as the project designer to reducing, restructuring and rethinking the content of the website to create a more streamlined experience. Enhanced search functions will also make it easier for users to find what they are looking for on the site.

The new site includes more and larger photos as well as videos and a brand-new 360-degree virtual tour, which allows users to “walk” through campus in virtual reality and see 360-degree views inside key buildings. The virtual tour was created by YouVisit, a company specializing in higher education virtual tours, in conjunction with the University of Pittsburgh.

More visuals on the website will help the university connect with prospective students. Industry research shows that visual communication, such as photos, video and graphics, is more interesting to current high school and college students and will lead them to engage more with a website.

The photos show not only the natural beauty of campus, but also that of the surrounding area and its educational and recreational options.

Another feature is more student profiles, which allow prospective students to hear about their peers’ experiences in their own words.

Also as part of building the new website, the university switched over to new behind-the-scenes software.

“Our new software, Drupal, is far easier to use,” said web programmer Mike McQuade, who was also heavily involved in the project. “Drupal is built for modern websites. Needless to say, I’m glad we traded up.”

The university’s previous website had been redesigned in 2011.