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Company: r//evolution
Project: Herts Sports Partnership

http://www.sportinherts.org.uk

Dates: Feb 2007 to Aug 2007

How did the project start?

After a completing a successful re-branding exercise for Herts Sports Partnership, r//evolution were commissioned to develop an extensive new website for them. As a large partnership offering services to a wide-reaching audience, the HSP website brief was to develop, design and build a site that is easy and quick for them to manage and update internally. It also needed to be a clear and accessible source of information for people involved in sport across the County.

What options did you consider?

It was agreed that a fully bespoke content managed site would be developed, to enable the marketing team to update the content of the site. r//evolution worked with the client to develop and refine the detailed site specification. Initially a full site plan was laid out and agreed. The site has substantial content as it is to be used as a resource for sports professionals, educationalists and other related professionals and the public across the County.
After considering the options, r//evolution suggested keeping the navigation simple by dividing the site into three sections: One for the general public, one for coaches and sports organisers and one for the strategic issues of sport. Following agreement of the site structure and navigation, a series of screen visuals were produced, demonstrating the application of the design across all tiers of the site. These visuals were refined and agreed. Throughout the process, the site was viewable to the client on a test platform, thus making development seamless. On completion of the site, and following population of pages, r//evolution undertook on-site training on the cms system to the relevant Hertfordshire staff. The site is designed to fully meet the AA compatibility standard for DDA compliance.

What help and expertise did you receive?

Designers and programmers worked closely together to maintain simplicity and ease of use. Programmers custom built the CMS and it is tailored exclusively to Herts Sports needs.

Did you face any challenges or learn any lessons?

The website has been one of the largest and most complex content management sites we have developed to date and is still growing. Each request from the client to add a new facility is a challenge: to efficiently add new modules that are simple to use and integrate into the already functioning site.

What are the outcomes and how has it improved your business?

In addition to a large number of information pages, the site also features a searchable Training and Courses section, a categorised Events section and a News section with automatic archive facility. In addition an e-zine module has been developed to enable targeted communications to be distributed - all of which are easy to organize, monitor and control through the customised content management system.
The result is a website that is visually appealing and easily navigated. In this way the site has received much positive comment and stands out from other similar websites.

What are your plans for the future?

We have just launched a new element to the site which is used to run Pedometer Challenge Competitions. residents of Hertfordshire can register online and enter their daily footsteps. The site then generates results and league tables for Herts SP to award competition winners and use as research for exercise levels in the region. Other plans for the future include blog facilities and targeted modules for young people and over 50s.