Their Problem: An outdated content management system to manage over 2,000 web pages and over 3,000 PDF’s and image files was the start of their problems. They also needed a major design makeover and wanted to add e-commerce and other database driven features.
The Solution: Use the latest technology in a content management system (Zoom CMS), get a new design that offers incredible flexibility with content control and dynamic data, plus more than eight plug-in modules that extend the site capabilities to handle large amounts of data in an organized and streamlined way. Plus, do it on a budget and a tight deadline, too.
The skills used to remodel and upgrade a home are the same ones used in a project like this one – analysis, planning, design, the right materials, organization, and integration.
Analysis – We worked with the Columbus Board of REALTORS® team of marketing, technical, and leadership staff to make sure we were building a best-of-breed site and using the best ideas in the marketplace so that their dynamic Board would be accurately reflected through their site.
Planning – This site needed to integrate with a number of third party databases and data sources automatically so that major sections were “hands off” and required no human intervention – planning was key to making these connections successful. Data organization, visitor usability, and team management were all studied so that the right choices were made for information management and categorization.
Design – A new design was created with the team feedback that would position the Columbus Board of REALTORS® with brand consistent choices that looked fresh online. Flash was used on the home page and extensive CSS formatting was used on the site to keep the colors consistent and easy to change in the future.
The Right Materials – Our Zoom CMS software was the answer to this question with our Microsoft .NET framework and SQL Server database plus some AJAX and other advanced technologies in place, their web site management software is easy to use and very powerful. Multiple modules (plug-in software packages that integrate with the Zoom CMS software and extend the capabilities) were needed including: News Management, Event Calendar and Online Registrations (e-commerce), Online Store (e-commerce), Photo Gallery, Find a REALTOR®, Private Pages and more.
Organization – Two thousand pages and three thousand PDF’s and images might scare some companies, but we just saw the need for organization. Just like when you clean out your closet, we reviewed the content on the site and asked the client what needed to stay and what could go. The content on the site was cut down so that long-term management would be easier while retaining the key information that the public and media depend on from the Board.
Integration – Working very closely with key team members, all of the web site parts were pulled together and content was integrated. Training sessions were held to keep everyone in the loop and we even assisted with some of their internal business processes so they could work more effectively.
See their site in action: http://www.columbusrealtors.com
What can we do for you? Are you a Board of REALTORS® in need of a new look and new web software system? Maybe you are a large membership organization looking for a better way to manage your registrations and membership access online? We can help! Please contact us today and we can demo our software and tell you more how we can help every step of the way.