Discover the successful collaboration between Care Development East (CDE) and 101 that resulted in a professional, user-friendly website that’s easily managed and responsive to CDE's evolving needs.
Background
Care Development East (CDE) is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting excellence in the social care and health workforce in the East of England. They provide impartial advice, support, and guidance to the sector, assisting organisations in implementing new competencies, seeking funding opportunities, and developing a highly skilled and person-centred workforce. Through various initiatives and events, such as Care Careers Suffolk, the I Care Ambassadors scheme, and the annual Suffolk Care Awards, CDE promotes rewarding careers in care and raises the profile of the sector.
Challenges
When CDE approached 101 for help, their existing WordPress website was struggling to keep pace with the organisation's growing needs. It was difficult to maintain and lacked the functionality and capabilities required to attract a wider audience and showcase their services.
The website also lacked essential accessibility features, making it difficult to offer an inclusive browsing experience.
Christian Bone, Chief Executive of Care Development East, explains, "Accessibility was a major concern for us. Our previous website had limitations when catering to users with diverse needs, and we wanted to ensure that our content was accessible to everyone."
In addition, CDE had difficulties with the website's Google Analytics reporting set-up, finding it unwieldy and insufficient for their needs. They needed a more streamlined and effective approach to track metrics and gather data to evaluate the website's performance.
Care Development East recognised that the website needed to be completely redesigned to meet the needs of their developing organisation. Previous website projects managed via remote collaboration had highlighted the need for a more interactive and in-person approach for the redesign process. As a result, CDE sought a web design partner that valued face-to-face interactions and understood the importance of personalised engagement.
Solution
CDE’s decision to partner with 101 for their website design was strongly influenced by 101's willingness to engage face-to-face and desire to fully understand CDE's goals and vision. This approach set them apart from other web design agencies that CDE had encountered in the past.
Christian continues, "Meeting Holly Stibbon, 101's Managing Director, at the Anglia Business Exhibition gave us confidence in their approach. We prefer working with organisations local to us that are keen to fully understand our goals and willing to interact in person when needed.”
101 quickly grasped Care Development East's objectives for the website and actively supported them throughout the entire process. Christian says, "101 delivered what we asked for and more. They challenged our thinking and provided suggestions and solutions beyond our initial expectations."
Results and Benefits
The website redesign has resulted in significant benefits for the organisation and its stakeholders. Key achievements include:
- Enhanced User Experience
The new website offers intuitive navigation and a consistent layout, ensuring visitors can easily access information. Incorporating accessibility features, such as text size adjustment, dark mode, high contrast, and reading lines, has created a more inclusive and engaging browsing experience for all users. - Streamlined Data Collection and Management
The implementation of user-friendly forms, particularly for the annual Suffolk Care Awards, has significantly improved data collection and organisation. The website’s backend system efficiently manages collected data, saving valuable time and simplifying administrative processes. - Positive Stakeholder Feedback
The new website has had a transformative impact on Care Development East's online presence. The professional design and user-friendly interface reflect CDE's reputation as a trusted organisation within the healthcare industry. Positive feedback from key stakeholders, including CDE’s Board and the Local Authority, further reinforces the website's effectiveness in demonstrating their professionalism and dedication to serving their clients' needs. - User-friendly Content Management System
The website's new Umbraco Content Management System (CMS) has streamlined website maintenance and allows for the quick creation of new pages using preset styles and templates provided by 101. This ensures a polished look across the site and accommodates CDE's evolving needs as they grow.
In summary, the successful partnership with 101 has played a crucial role in enhancing CDE’s online presence and supporting the organisation’s objectives in the region’s healthcare sector.
What Our Client Said
"Working with 101 on the Care Development East website has been a resounding success. They designed a website that truly delivers for CDE and its stakeholders. What sets 101 apart from competitors is their personal touch. They took the time to understand our goals and provide creative solutions beyond what we had imagined. That's the kind of expertise you want in an agency. I wholeheartedly recommend 101 to others seeking website design and development services.”
Christian Bone, Chief Executive of Care Development East
Visit Care Development East to explore their new website and discover the services they provide within the social care and health sector in the East of England.
