This case study highlights the process of designing and developing the website for the County Durham Community Foundation (CDCF), a leading charitable organisation focused on community development and social change across Durham and beyond.
Our agency was entrusted with the comprehensive end-to-end execution, including research, copywriting, website structure, SEO optimisation, design, integration, development and launch.
The County Durham Community Foundation (CDCF) is a renowned charitable organisation that supports community-driven initiatives in Durham as well as further afield. With a diverse user base, including donors, grant recipients, volunteers, and more, CDCF required a website that effectively served the needs of each group. As we were working for a charity, it was crucial to design a user-friendly website while minimising maintenance costs for the charity to ensure sustainability. Our objectives included:
To understand the requirements and preferences of different user groups, we conducted extensive research by engaging with individuals representing each category. This suggestion by our team became of huge importance and gave significant value to CDCF. Through interviews and surveys, we gathered insights into their interaction with the existing website (and CDCF as a whole), identified desired features, and studied other websites they found engaging or useful. The findings were meticulously documented and shared with CDCF, forming the basis for creating user personas that would drive the website design and structure.
Based on the research findings and user personas, our agency adopted a user-centric design approach. The following strategies were implemented:
a. Intuitive Navigation: A clear and logical website structure was developed to ensure ease of navigation for all users. Menus, breadcrumbs, and contextual links were strategically placed to enable users, including those with limited tech literacy, to find information effortlessly.
b. User-Focused Content: A full website re-write was performed, keeping user personas in mind. Copywriting was executed to deliver clear, concise, and engaging content that addressed the specific needs of each user group. SEO optimisation was applied to page titles and meta descriptions to enhance visibility and search engine rankings.
c. Design for Timelessness: To ensure the website’s longevity and reduce maintenance requirements, we designed a clean and timeless visual aesthetic. By avoiding trends and busy design elements, the website’s appearance would remain relevant and visually appealing for years to come.
d. Seamless Integration: The website was seamlessly integrated with CDCF’s existing CRM systems to maintain data continuity and streamline processes. Integration with the separate grant system was a priority, ensuring a cohesive experience for grant recipients and efficient management for CDCF.
e. Minimal Downtime: To minimise disruptions and ensure uninterrupted access to funding applications and donation opportunities, our agency meticulously planned the launch and migration process. Rigorous testing and quality assurance measures were implemented to prevent downtime and address any potential issues before going live.
During the pitch process, our agency distinguished itself by demonstrating a thorough understanding of the user needs of different groups and prioritising their requirements. Our comprehensive approach, focus on user-centric design, and consideration for SEO optimisation and sensible longevity for the site set us apart from other agencies, ultimately leading to the selection of our agency for the project.
The project spanned approximately six months, from the pitch phase to the successful launch. The website received widespread acclaim from the community foundations and stakeholders associated with CDCF, with positive feedback from all user groups.
Organic performance and visibility improved which has contributed to CDCF awarding over £60 million in grants across the community. The website’s longevity, user-friendliness, and seamless integration with existing systems contributed to its continued success. Today, the site is five years old and still stands head and shoulders above many other websites in this space.
Get in touch with our team of experts, who will work closely with you to make sure your project drives the results you’re looking for.