Project Overview
The Attleboro YMCA website project involved migrating the organization's existing website to ITCare Cloud Hosting platform, redesigning its structure, and improving the site's overall functionality. The goal was to create a modern, user-friendly experience that streamlined membership management, event promotion, and program integration. ITCare collaborated closely with key stakeholders, including Marsea McGonagle, to ensure the site met the YMCA's needs and branding standards.
Timeline:
The project began with an introductory meeting on December 30, 2024, and just a month later, on February 1, 2025, the website was successfully launched. The actual website development and content migration, including the redesign, took only 10 days, while the remaining time was focused on discovery, communication, and website review before launch. Despite the tight timeline, our team efficiently migrated content, redesigned key elements, and addressed functionality issues, ensuring a smooth and timely launch.
Challenges and Requirements:
Migration of Content: The project required migrating content from an old WordPress site to the new ITCare Cloud Hosting platform, ensuring no data was lost and all links were redirected properly.
Design Issues: The existing design posed usability challenges, particularly around font usage, banner style inconsistencies, and broken links, such as those leading to Daxko integrations.
Admin Access: Issues with login credentials and admin UI navigation were encountered during testing.
Branding & Fonts: The YMCA required specific font usage (Cachet family) in various parts of the site, but the fonts were not initially loading correctly, which needed to be addressed before finalizing the design.
Solutions Implemented:
Site Migration & Redirects: ITCare successfully cloned the old website on its hosting platform and set up proper redirects.
Font Integration: ITCare ensured that the appropriate fonts (Cachet Bold, Medium, and Book) were integrated into the website as per the YMCA's branding guidelines. A detailed discussion with Marsea McGonagle clarified how to apply those fonts to the header, body text, and other parts of the site.
Admin UI Fixes: ITCare fixed admin UI glitches, making it easier for staff to manage the site. The modal window issues were resolved, improving user experience on the backend.
Content Migration: ITCare systematically migrated content from the old site, carefully checking for outdated information.
Functionality & Content Decision Making: ITCare worked closely with Marsea to review and finalize the content migration list. Key pages and sections were updated, including event listings and program details, making sure that everything was current and aligned with YMCA's needs.
Testing & UAT: A staging environment was set up for testing, ensuring that all features worked as expected before the final deployment. Andrii Podanenko and Dmytro Lavrinenko collaborated closely with Marsea, reviewing potential issues and ensuring that everything was functioning smoothly, such as checking banner styles and testing redirects.
Feedback Loop & Collaboration: Regular calls were scheduled between ITCare and Marsea to address any issues, from layout problems to admin access. Marsea was closely involved, providing valuable feedback and ensuring that all the stakeholders' requirements were met.
Benefits Delivered:
Seamless Migration: The website migration to ITCare's hosting platform was smooth, with minimal disruption. The old URLs were correctly redirected, and all content was moved successfully.
Improved User Experience: The redesigned site features a user-friendly interface, faster load times, and a cleaner, modern design. The integration of the correct fonts and the elimination of design inconsistencies helped make the website more visually appealing and aligned with the YMCA's branding.
Enhanced Admin Functionality: Admin access and backend usability were significantly improved, allowing YMCA staff to manage content and site features with ease.
Streamlined Content Management: By working with Marsea and reviewing each page, ITCare ensured that outdated content was updated and unnecessary information was removed, resulting in a more efficient website.
Better Event Promotion: Event functionality was enhanced, allowing for a more organized and effective way to promote and manage YMCA events.
Testimonial:
I am a small team of one and I was still able to make it work with the support of ITCare.
— Marsea McGonagle Director of Marketing & Communications at ATTLEBORO NORTON YMCA
Conclusion:
The Attleboro YMCA website project has been successfully completed, meeting both the technical and creative needs of the organization. ITCare's team worked closely with the client to ensure a smooth transition, improve user experience, and address all design and functionality issues. The collaboration resulted in a more dynamic, responsive website that will allow Attleboro YMCA to better engage with its members, promote events, and manage programs effectively.
The project moved forward at an impressive pace, with the website launching on February 1, 2025 - just a month after the initial introduction meeting. Most key functionality and design elements were implemented efficiently, ensuring a seamless experience for users.
This project highlights the importance of clear communication, a thorough understanding of client requirements, and a collaborative approach to delivering high-quality web development solutions. The speed and efficiency of the team further emphasize their dedication and expertise.
We are confident that the same solution can benefit other YMCA organizations as well. If you are interested in discussing how we can help your YMCA with a similar project, let's schedule a call.
Together, we can help streamline your website, improve user experience, and enhance your digital capabilities.
