How to Get your Association or NFP Website Ready for 2014 before the Christmas Break

Lynne Newbury - Online Marketing Manager

The end of the year is always the busiest period with Christmas parties and project deadlines. Amongst the chaos it's a good idea to take a quick look at your website and make sure everything is updated and ready for the New Year. As more people move towards an internet driven world, connecting with the rest of the globe has never been easier. It is important that your association's membership website is as up to date as possible.

Member Evolution has compiled a quick checklist to make sure you don't miss anything.

1. Update Events

Make sure your association's events and calendar is up to date, by deleting any old events from 2013. Add any new events that will be occurring in 2014. This way when people jump on your website calendar in the New Year they will be able to view all of your most current and up to date events, keeping users, web friends and members engaged and giving them a positive user experience while on your site. There is nothing worse for a website visitor than seeing old events on a site.

2. Refresh Content

New and fresh content on your association membership website never goes astray and making sure your website has the latest news articles and new special interest group content is a good place to start. Not only does it encourage users to stay longer on your website but it also improves your SEO and keywords. It may also encourage new members to sign up.

3. Christmas Closure

It's an excellent idea to email all of your members and sponsors from your database prior to your Christmas closing dates. Giving clients a few weeks' notice of the exact dates that your office will be shutting down over the festive season is a must. This ensures all of your members, committees, board members and sponsors are aware when your staff will be out of office.

For any new users to your site it's a good idea to place a note on your home page, as this will also remind members. This way, any new members who sign up for a membership will be aware that it may take longer than usual for their membership to be approved. For existing members it's also a good idea to inform them that it may take longer to approve any comments or get back to any support requests that may be submitted.

If your association has a Facebook or Twitter account it's also a good idea to remind clients again on social media.

4.  Merry Christmas Newsletter

Sending a Merry Christmas newsletter to all your clients is a nice touch and great way to end the year, leaving a good impression in your members', committees' and sponsors' minds. Thanking them for their continued support and wishing them a relaxing and safe break is essential.

5. Future Planning

If your association is looking at cutting costs, saving time and resources then a new all in one complete membership management software solution is essential. You may even want to improve you member value, retention and sign-up rates with a member portal and marketing solution. Improve your association's efficiency - what better way to move into the new year but with a new customised solution?!