Websites are one of the most powerful communication tools for Horizon Europe projects, yet many fail to fully utilize their potential. A well-structured, content-rich project website can serve as the central hub for communication and dissemination activities, not only ensuring compliance with dissemination requirements but also maximizing visibility, engagement and impact.
However, too often, project websites become underused repositories, missing key opportunities to connect with their target audiences. Let’s explore some of the most common pitfalls and how to unlock the true power of Horizon Europe project websites.
01. A Website should serve users – not just the project
Many project websites are built as static information pages, focusing too much on what the project is rather than why it matters to different audiences.
A strong project website should:
- Address all target audiences (scientists, policymakers, industry, media and the public).
- Present the project’s goals, expected impact, and progress in an engaging and understandable way.
- Use clear, accessible language instead of technical jargon, ensuring inclusivity.
- Offer dynamic, updated content rather than just a project description.
Solution: Shift the focus from project-centered content to audience-centered storytelling. Answer the key question: Why should this matter to the user? Or try to ask question: So What? These questions asked frequently enough will help you to create a content and structure that bring actual use to target audiences.
02. Showcasing project partners – more than just logos
Horizon Europe projects bring together top-tier expertise across different institutions and countries. Yet, many project websites fail to showcase the consortium’s full potential—often listing only logos without providing context about the partners’ roles, expertise, and contributions.
A well-structured partner section should include:
- Brief partner profiles explaining their role in the project.
- Key competencies that each partner brings to the table.
- Team introductions (when possible) to personalize the collaboration.
- Links to partners’ websites and key research initiatives for deeper engagement.
Missed opportunity: Without this information, the added value of collaboration is lost, making it harder for external stakeholders, future project partners, and funding bodies to understand the full impact of the network.
03. Making research outputs accessible & findable
One of the biggest missed opportunities in Horizon Europe project websites is the lack of structured and accessible research results.
Common problems:
- Public deliverables, publications, and presentations are scattered across different repositories.
- There is no central place on the website where results are compiled.
- Important project outputs are hidden behind complex navigation or external links in various repositories or sometimes even not accebile.
How to fix it?
- Create a dedicated, well-organized “Results” or “Resources” section.
- Provide downloadable, easily accessible formats (e.g., PDFs, summaries, datasets).
- Include clear descriptions of what each publication or deliverable contributes.
Think about findability: If research results are not indexed properly, they won’t appear in search results, making it harder for researchers, journalists, and policymakers to discover them.
04. SEO & visibility – if Your website isn’t optimized, it won’t be found
Many project websites are invisible in search engines simply because they are not optimized for Google and other search engines.
Why does this matter?
If someone is searching for your project’s field of research, key technology, or policy recommendations, but your website is not optimized, they will never find it—even if the project has valuable insights to offer.
SEO best practices to improve visibility:
- Use relevant keywords (e.g., research fields, technologies, impact areas) naturally in content.
- Write meaningful page titles and meta descriptions to improve search rankings.
- Use structured content (clear headings, bullet points, and subheadings) to make pages easier to read and navigate.
- Ensure that research outputs and deliverables are search engine-friendly with clear file names and descriptions.
Bottom line: If your project website is not optimized, it won’t reach its full potential in spreading knowledge and engaging a wider audience.
- Final thoughts
“A Website is more than a formality – it’s a powerful tool to maximise the impact of your project”
Horizon Europe project websites should be more than a static page for compliance—they should be active, engaging platforms that connect audiences, showcase research, and maximize impact.
A strong website is an investment in visibility and impact. By focusing on content, structure and SEO, projects can transform their websites into powerful dissemination tools that truly deliver.
Want to know if your project website is reaching its full potential? Consider a Website Audit for Horizon Europe Projects and get expert recommendations to optimize performance.
