Do you need a website redesign?
Here's a look at another of my favourite sessions from the Nonprofit Technology Conference #NTC12 by NTEN. This session looked at whether your website needs a redesign and how to proceed if it does. Thanks to Fara Trompeter of Big Duck and Kira Marchenese of the Enviromental Defense Fund (EDF).
- My live tweeting fingers were flying in this workshop so many of the tweets included are mine but I've also included highlights of the session from others.
RT @fdncenter: Redesign/rethink of your website is around every 3 years #12ntcredesign- Annual reports can be a good example of how to share content on your website if it simplifies your information yet makes it interesting and useful. I suggest you first ask yourself, "Does your annual report set a good example or does it need an extreme makeover?"
#12NTCredesign EDF used Annual Report as an example of how content could be simpler and more accessible.
Put your annual report, collateral, email template and website out on a table, do they match? They should. #guidecreative #12NTCredesign- #12NTCredesign EDF looked for energy and human connection in website used a moodboard to set look. See edf.org
- RT @advomatic: Power of opensource RT @Communic8nHowe: #12NTCredesign EDF used Drupal for their latest site. Allows them to customize as they move forward
- Personas are a way to describe your target audience by creating a "person" that fits who you are trying to reach.
Set goals and make decisions based on needs and interests of 'user personas' #12NTCredesign
Developed some sample personas to think through all of the sub-categories of donor audience, what needs were #12ntcredesign- User personas help set goals for website's site navigation, what info has hierarchy 'above the fold' - @farra #12ntcredesign
- Learn more about @pewinternet's reports in #PubHub! bit.ly/HVHgsy #12ntc #12ntcredesign (cc: @farra)
- Advice on content
- #12NTCredesign Farra: Site should be user centric and answer what's in it for me. What I call "audience centric"
- #12NTCredesign Farra: create an audience profile then used index cards with org to determine content
- #12NTCredesign: Farra: chart out all content and then go to wireframes and direction. Then designs main and unique pages.
- An important point that can be forgotten in the desire to refresh your website.
- #12NTCredesign: Farra - Launch is not the end of a process. Must be able to keep it fresh.
- #12NTCredesign @kiramarch Have a plan for new photos on a site that features big beautiful images. I'd add Facebook Timeline means this too.
- I added this note of caution because although there are free or cheap ways to get things like new websites. You are likely better to explore paying someone who has strategic expertise and whom you can enjoy a long term relationship. Charities like free or deals but sometimes you get what you pay for.
- #12NTCredesign I suggest that students aren't the only option for cost-effective websites. Look at mall communication and web firms.
- Do you need a website optimized for mobile viewing?
