Chambers of Commerce Website Design

Kerry Sweeney Posted by Kerry Sweeney on May 14, 2012

6 Web Design Tips for Membership Organization Websites

Web Design Tips for Membership Organization Websites

Follow these pointers to design a membership organization website that achieves your goals.

Like any website, a membership chamber-of-commerce-website-design-seattle.jpgorganization's website has to be visually-appealing, search engine-friendly, and easy-to-use. But membership organizations have unique needs because they exist to serve members, who ultimately drive their success.

In addition to being a great promotional asset, your organization's website should engage members and enable them to collaborate effectively. A well-designed membership organization website can help you expand and retain membership, as well as increase non-dues revenue. Below are 6 tips for designing a membership organization website that gets results.

1. Choose a design that's consistent with your membership organization's message and culture

Ensure that your membership organization's goals and mission are clear on your website and that the look and feel of your site is consistent with the culture of your organization. Your site should be designed in a way that promotes your mission and supports your initiatives.

2. Integrate your website with social media

Social media participation is critical to the online success of any membership organization because members expect to connect and build relationships with others. Integrate your organization's website with your social media accounts, so you can network with members, grow your social media following, and promote your organization. Every membership organization has unique goals – efelle will work with you to develop a social media marketing strategy that aligns with your organization's specific objectives.

3. Make it easy for members to find resources and stay up-to-date

Your membership organization's website should encourage active involvement and feature relevant, useful content. Make it easy for site visitors to read news, keep up with events, participate in your online community, collaborate with other members, and pay their dues.

4. Allow members to manage their own directory profiles

Many membership organizations aim to connect members with the outside world. Therefore, an organization's website should include a searchable member directory that is easy for administrators to maintain and that allows users to search for members by category, keyword, name, and more. In some cases, membership organizations may need a directory that is password protected and available to members only. Save time by enabling members to log in and make changes to their profiles by themselves.

5. Make your website both an online directory and a membership organization management database

Rather than managing your organization's website and database separately, manage both using the same platform. This will eliminate the need for you to move information from your organization's database to your online directory.

6. Provide targeted calls-to-action

Why do you want a membership organization website? What do you want it to do? Do you want to provide resources to members? Do you want to increase non-dues revenue? Set goals for your website and then provide targeted calls-to-action on your website visitors that help you achieve those goals.

Looking for a Web Design Company to Build Your Membership Organization's Website?

efelle can build a website for your membership organization that assists you in your mission, provides value to members, and keeps ongoing maintenance costs at a minimum. efelle's websites for membership organizations allow you to keep track of members, improve communication, and offer an array of tools that are designed specifically for organizations. Please give us a call at 206.384.4909 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation!

See Also:

Why SEO is Critical to the Success of Your Chamber of Commerce Website

5 Critical Pieces of SEO Advice for Membership Organizations