The Brief
The John Howard Society, Fundy Region, a non-profit organization dedicated to effective, just, and humane responses to the causes and consequences of crime, recognized the need for a modernized digital presence. Their existing website, designed several years ago, had become outdated and lacked the functionality and aesthetic appeal necessary to engage their diverse audience effectively. The primary objectives for the redesign were to:
- Modernize the website with a fresh, contemporary look that aligns with the organization’s branding and mission.
- Enhance usability by creating an intuitive navigation structure that makes information easily findable.
- Improve accessibility to ensure compliance with WCAG standards and make the site usable for all individuals, including those with disabilities.
- Boost engagement by making it easier for users to access resources and information.
- Optimize the website search engines to improve visibility and search rankings.
- Ensure compatibility across various devices and browsers for a consistent user experience.
- Optimize performance for faster load times and better overall user experience.
- Facilitate a smooth transition to the new site with minimal downtime and disruption.
- Train staff on website management to ensure they can effectively use and maintain the new site.
- Provide ongoing support and maintenance to ensure the site remains updated and functional.
Our Solution
To address these objectives, we developed a comprehensive plan that involved multiple phases, from initial consultation to post-launch support, including:
- Needs Assessment: Evaluating the current website’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Modern, Responsive Design: We created a sleek, contemporary design that reflects the John Howard Society’s branding. The new design is fully responsive, ensuring a seamless experience across all devices, from desktops to smartphones.
- Accessibility Compliance: We implemented WCAG guidelines to make the site accessible to users with disabilities. This included features like alt text for images, keyboard navigation, and sufficient colour contrast.
- Intuitive Navigation: We restructured the website’s information architecture, making it easier for users to find the information they need quickly and efficiently.
- SEO Best Practices: We optimized the site’s content and structure to improve search engine rankings, including keyword research, meta tags, and clean URLs.
- Performance Optimization: We optimized images, minimized code, and utilized caching to ensure fast load times and smooth performance.
- Cross-Browser Compatibility: We tested the site on various browsers and devices to ensure consistent functionality and appearance.
The Result
The redesigned website for the John Howard Society, Fundy Region, has significantly enhanced their online presence and user experience. Key outcomes of the project include:
- Improved Usability and Accessibility: The new website’s intuitive navigation and WCAG compliance have made it easier for all users to access the information and resources they need.
- Increased Engagement: The modern, responsive design and optimized performance have led to higher user engagement, with more visitors spending longer on the site.
- Better Search Engine Rankings: Applying SEO best practices has improved the site’s visibility, leading to an increase in organic traffic.
- Enhanced Brand Alignment: The new design better reflects the John Howard Society’s values and mission, providing a cohesive and professional online presence.
- Ongoing Support: Our commitment to ongoing maintenance and support has provided the John Howard Society with peace of mind, knowing that any issues will be promptly addressed.
Website Care
As part of their Website Care Plan, we look after their website hosting as well as making sure their website is safe and secure by ensuring their WordPress application and WordPress plugins are always kept up to date.
Their Care Plan also includes security measures such as Login Protection, SPAM Protection, 24/7 Uptime Monitoring, Daily Off-Site Website Backups, protection against Brute Force Attacks, and regular Malware Scans.
It also includes Monthly Website Reports that let the client know exactly what we did (and when) to protect their website, as well as outlining any requested design or programming updates that we performed on their website.
If you are interested in having a custom website designed and developed, please reach out to us. We'd be happy to set up a free consultation to discuss your requirements.