Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum
Web Design | Web Development
"Thank you for your guidance, expertise and delivery - the website team and Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum are most grateful.
It has been an incredible and exciting journey together. I found your enthusiasm, professionalism and patience invaluable."
Jacqueline Dalton, Charity Manager, Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum
Summary
- Web design and development
- Online membership and donation facilities
- Social media
- Within a week of going live, the site had broken records for online membership sign-up
The Brief
Tickbox were commissioned to design and develop a new website for the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum - the non-profit organisation which runs and manages the National Arboretum in partnership with the Forestry Commission.
The Friends wanted a site which would allow and encourage online membership sign-up and renewal - making savings for the organisation through improved efficiency.
They also wanted to encourage online donations and to create on online community for the 23,000 members and volunteers.
The site was to be built to a set deadline to coincide with the opening day of the arboretum's 2009 autumn season.
Our Work
The project involved working closely with a number of partners, including the charity's marketing team, trustees and the Forestry Commission.
Gaining a thorough understanding of the target audience and setting clear goals for the site allowed us to clearly identify the design and technical solutions needed to achieve the charity's aims.
We also advised the Friends on an integrated social media strategy, tied in to the new website, to help create an online community of interest which would support the overall aims of the charity.
The Results
The website had an immediate impact - generating 25 membership sign-ups within a few days of going live, even before official promotion of the site had begun.
With the automating of membership sign-up being a key goal of the site, the indications at this early stage are that the charity is well on target to meet the revenue saving targets it set the site.
The design and functionality of the site also met with universal approval from all parties involved - which, given their varied positions and needs was not a straightforward task.
We are continuing to work with both the Friends of Westonbirt and the Forestry Commission to explore other ways of supporting the work of the charity and the arboretum in increasing awareness of, and support for, Westonbirt.