As the business landscape has changed over the last few weeks, we the associations we work with have responded in one of two ways: either by retreating or being proactive in looking for new information and solutions.

Naturally, we always think it’s smarter to be ahead of the curve than falling behind. That’s why, after consulting with several of the industry groups we work with, we think this might be the perfect time to make some improvements to your web presence.

That might run contrary to some of the conventional advice out there, but it’s based on solid logic. Here are a few reasons you might want to start an association website redesign project now…

The Needs of Members and Leaders Have Changed

It goes without saying that your members (not to mention your employees) have different needs and concerns than they did a month ago. By making some changes to your website, you can put the content and tools that are most pertinent at the front of your pages.

For instance, you may be experiencing renewed interest in newsletters, strategy tips, or industry updates. The easier these are to find, the more valuable your website is to the men and women who rely on your association.

You Can Integrate Online Learning and Awareness

Much of the work in education that was being done through trade shows, conferences, and other in-person learning sessions is now being conducted online. If your website doesn’t include these features, or make them easy to find, then some changes are called for.

Standards and best practices are shifting in a number of fields. At the same time, there has never been a better opportunity for your members to get up-to-speed on fresh ideas and regulations. Give them the online resources they are looking for, and you’ll have an easier time holding onto members in the months to come.

This is Your Association’s Chance to Breathe and Regroup

There is one more reason to consider upgrading your association website now, and it’s an easy one to miss: you probably have more time to focus on a project like this than you did in the past. If you’ve been putting off big tasks like web development projects because you are too busy, this might be your chance to catch up.

It’s never a bad time to sharpen your skills or develop new tools. It’s deeply unfortunate that we are dealing with the current coronavirus crisis, but it does at least afford us a chance to catch our breath, regroup, and think about what we’ll need in the months and years to come.

Need Help Formulating Your Plan?
At Marcy Design, association leaders don’t just turn to us because we are creative or responsive – they like dealing with our firm because we help them to spot opportunities and make solid choices. If your organization doesn’t have a good marketing and communications plan in place, let us help. Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about our work.

People are the lifeblood of any association. It’s not just your members who keep your organization running, though – staff and volunteers have a huge role to play. With the right people on board you can organize projects, events, and initiatives. Without them it’s nearly impossible to reach any of your goals.

One thing potential employees and members have in common, though, is that they are likely to visit your website first when learning about your group. The information they find online will either persuade them to keep looking at new opportunities or turn their attention elsewhere.

How can you use your website to boost recruitment and retention for your association? Here are a few things you can easily do starting today…

Spread Awareness of Openings and Opportunities

Naturally, the easiest way to get more and better applicants for Association openings is to promote them online. However, we often find that associations aren’t great about promoting career or volunteer opportunities to their own websites.

You should make sure yours are prominently displayed, with links from the home page leading to more complete descriptions. These will appeal not only to job-seekers, but also association members who might have contacts that would be perfect for your role.

Highlight the Strengths of Your Association as an Employer

In the same way your body association website should be promoting the benefits of membership, you should also go out of your way to explain why someone might want to be part of your team. What perks are there for employees, volunteers, and committee chairs?

Associations are often wonderful places to work. They can help professionals to develop skills, grow their networks, and pick up specialized knowledge while providing a stable paycheck. Would someone visiting your website come away with that understanding?

Use Your Website to Better Manage and Support Your Team

While recruiting staff might be your top priority, there are also ways you can use your association website to retain and manage employees as well. For example, you can use online scheduling, portals that lead to benefits, and even links to video training tools to make life easier for your staff.

Each of these helps you to lower costs while also providing convenient options for continued growth and learning. In other words, they allow you to duplicate member benefits for employees, saving you time and money all at once.

Need Help with Online Recruiting for Your Association?
At Marcy Design in Columbus, we have experience working with dozens of associations and industry groups, both in Ohio and throughout the Midwest. If you want help putting together a smarter web and marketing strategy, contact us today to schedule a free videoconference consultation!

Does your association website help you to increase and maintain membership, either directly or indirectly?

Far too often, we meet with association executives who haven’t (yet) utilized the power of online recruiting and retention. They have seen their websites as a way to convey basic information, but not to actually draw in new members or increase dues.

We think that’s a huge mistake. Your website is likely to be your most important avenue for reaching out to industry professionals and potential members – particularly at a time when so many are working from home. Let’s look at a few online tools you can use for enhancement and retention in your association…

Content That Highlights Membership Benefits

The first thing you need to get to members from your website is content that highlights the benefits of joining up and paying dues. These could include articles on industry best practices, testimonials that show off the networking power that association members will benefit from, or even highlights from recent events and get-togethers. Just be sure someone who visits your site can easily understand why it’s in their best interest to be involved.

Web-Based Training and Resources

Even before conferences and meetings started being canceled or postponed, web-based training was on the rise. Now, smart associations are using online videos, articles, and courses to keep members learning and growing. These tools are convenient for members and give them evergreen learning options that can be utilized at any time. Shouldn’t they be a part of your association website?

Online Signup Features That Make Joining Convenient

Prospective association members should be able to join your organization directly from your website. If you don’t already have that functionality, you should know that it isn’t difficult (or expensive) to install. Even better, we have seen time and time again that giving new members this convenient option can boost sign up and conversion rates in a big way. If you only make one improvement to your web presence this year, make it the addition of online registration.

Need Help with Your Association Website?
Any web designer can help you design a set of pages for your organization, but at Marcy Design we have experience working with industry groups of every size. We can help you formulate a strategy that doesn’t just bring you more members and better tools, but also helps you to get the resources you need in a quick and cost-effective way.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation so we can talk about your association website!

Because we work with so many association executives, we are exposed to dozens of websites for different industry groups every month. One thing that shocks us is how many of them are missing even basic ecommerce functionality.

While it’s true that association websites aren’t online stores, they can typically help an organization reach its goals more effectively by accepting payments securely. What sorts of things might you want to “sell” through your group’s web pages? Here are a few good possibilities…

Dues and Fees

When members and sponsors can pay their bills through your website, the process becomes more convenient and less expensive. That lets you get your money faster, and that the whole process is less of a hassle for the professionals you depend on. Using simple shopping cart tools is an easy way to smooth out your association’s bottom line.

Training Programs

Does your association offer online or off-line training and certification programs? If you do – or if it’s something you’re considering for the future – then accepting online payments can remove a huge bottleneck in the process. Online training is the present and the future, but you can’t make it work without payment processing.

Event Registrations

The same goes for meetings, conferences, trade shows, and other related events. You might not be hosting these kinds of gatherings right now, but you will again in the future. And once you do, having the ability to accept online payments is going to be a big deal. Why not take a small step now that better positions your organization for the future?

Association Merchandise

There are literally hundreds of things your association might sell, from guidebooks and directories to shirts or other pieces of branded merchandise. You may even offer tools specific to an industry or profession. Members want to order these sorts of things online, and the extra revenue can be great for your organization.

Want to Talk More About Your Association Website?
Adding online payment features to your association website can be a lot faster and more convenient than you might think. If you’re looking for answers and specifics, our team can help. Reach out to Marcy Design in Columbus today to get a free quote or learn more about association web design.

When looking over the most useful and valuable features of an association website, it can be easy to look past a fully functioning membership database. After all, databases don’t generate money like online registration, and they aren’t as visible as web-based learning modules.

Nonetheless, having a membership database that users can interact with is a big deal. Let’s look at a few of the reasons why…

Your Member Database is the Lifeblood of Your Organization

Your association membership list is crucial to everything your group does. It’s your source of current and future revenue, the basis for networking events, and your means of communicating with those who need content and information. If you doubt that your membership database is the lifeblood of your organization, then ask yourself what you would do if it suddenly went missing. Isn’t it worth it to have the tools you need to keep it accurate and up-to-date?

Having Members Update Info Online Saves Time and Money

Associations spend time and money keeping membership lists updated in a lot of ways, but having contacts verify or correct their own details online is by far the most cost-effective way to handle this crucial task. It’s convenient for members, reduces staff hours, and perhaps most importantly, leads to fewer errors, duplications, and invalid entries. Keeping membership rolls current is a crucial task, and one that’s best handled by your website.

Keeping Accurate Member Information Makes Everything Easier

Imagine for a moment what life would be like if you had membership data that continually updated and wasn’t a burden on your staff. How much easier would it be to put together mailings, industry events, or new promotions? At a time when so many people are changing employers and contact details, it only makes sense to add or improve membership database functionality on your association website.

Ready to Upgrade Your Association Website?
Interested in learning more, or getting a quote for upgrades to your association website? Talk to the experts at Marcy Design in Columbus. We’ve worked with dozens of industry groups and can help you create the plan and budget you need to get your project moving. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation!