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Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to describe the eAdmissions National Project and provide some insights into a selection of the forms of research which have been conducted to inform the Project effectively. Design/methodology/approach - Four different kinds of studies are described as examples of different themes being pursued towards developing a better understanding of parents'/carers' needs and providing information and guidelines to help local authorities achieve their objectives in relation to online school admissions. Findings - The paper finds that the success of the work undertaken by the National Project is reflected in the increasing numbers of local authorities (LAs) that have already, or are in the process of, offering an online school admissions facility, as well as in the take-up of this service by parents/carers within some of these authorities. Research undertaken by the Project has been key to this success and is now being directed towards the important issue of effecting significant take-up of the online service by all local authorities that have responsibility for education. The outcomes from this research work have been applied to spread good practice, share information with all LAs and inform marketing campaigns. The effects of this research are beginning to be evidenced in the growing take-up of online admissions. Research limitations/implications - While some of the research undertaken is specific to the requirements of the eAdmissions National Project, some of the approaches developed and data gathered may be applicable to projects of a similar nature where online services need to be made available to and taken up by particular sectors of the public. Originality/value - This paper provides a source of information to interested parties on the aims and early achievements of the eAdmissions National Project. Further and more detailed information can be found at www.eadmissions.org [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]