Running a chapter-based association is faced with many hurdles and challenges. One of those is being able to keep consistent across the website of all of their chapters.
Besides having an antiquated design or a content management system that makes it very difficult to make any updates, chapter organizations face the challenge of unifying their organization under one national umbrella.
In this blog post, we'll look at some of the most common hurdles and best practices for multi-chapter organizations when updating or upgrading their websites.
Quick Reads
- 1. Outdated Design and Functionality
- 2. Inadequate Content
- 3. Poor Navigation
- 4. Not Mobile-Friendly
- Best Website Practices for Multi-Chapter Organizations
1. Outdated Design and Functionality
One of the most common mistakes that multi-chapter organizations make is having an outdated website design and functionality.
An outdated website can turn off potential members, limit engagement, and undermine the credibility of the organization. It's crucial for chapter-based associations to have a website that is modern, user-friendly, and up-to-date.
2. Inadequate Content
Another common mistake not having content that speaks to and engages your website visitors.
Members expect to find useful resources, event calendars, contact information, and other relevant content on their chapter's website. Failing to provide such information can make the website seem unprofessional and uninformative, leading to a lack of engagement.
Also, this may make the visitor feel that your organization isn't properly managed which can play a role in deterring people to purchase a membership.
3. Poor Navigation
Poor website navigation can be frustrating and confusing for members trying to find the information they need.
Especially for those multi-chapter organizations with more than one layer to their organizational structure, if the navigation is confusing and not user-friendly visitors can quickly get confused on how to access the right chapter.
4. Not Mobile-Friendly
With the rise of smartphones and tablets, it's essential for chapter-based associations to have a website that is mobile-friendly.
Websites that are not optimized for mobile devices can be difficult to use and navigate, leading to a poor user experience for members. Not having a mobile-friendly website can also have a negative impact on your SEO (search engine optimization) and will make it harder for your ideal members to find you with a simple Google search.
Best Website Practices for Multi-Chapter Organizations
1. Keep the Design and Functionality Up-to-Date
Chapter-based associations should ensure their website design and functionality is modern, user-friendly, and up-to-date. This can be achieved using a content management system (CMS) that allows easy customization and updates to the website's design and features.
Related article: Top 12 Membership Website Design Tips For Associations
Also, having an antiquated CMS makes it harder to find the right person that can keep it up to date on your organization and limits the number of resources that you can find online in case you meet an issue.
2. Create Quality Content
Creating quality website content is crucial for engaging members and promoting the organization's activities. Chapter-based associations should ensure their website provides useful resources, event calendars, contact information, board members, and access to the leadership team of the organization.
3. Ensure Intuitive Navigation
To make it easy for members to find the information they need, chapter-based associations should ensure their website has clear and intuitive navigation. Navigation should be well-organized and easy to understand, and the website should be structured logically.
Allow visitors to easily find their local or regional chapter and link your entire organization in a way that makes the experience enjoyable.
4. Optimize for Mobile Devices
With the increasing number of mobile users, multi-chapter organizations should optimize their websites for mobile devices.
The website should be designed to be mobile-friendly and easy to use on smartphones and tablets. This will also help boost your SEO and make your organization more findable on search engines.
5. Ensure Website Security
Chapter-based associations should take website security seriously to protect their members' sensitive information. This can include implementing SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption, using strong passwords, and regularly backing up website data.
6. Use Website Solutions for Brand Integrity
Multi-tier associations should ensure strict brand guidelines for all their chapters.
We also recommend using multi-chapter association management software to ensure that all the affiliates stick to their brand guidelines. The solution also allows you to keep track of membership, event, and finance data from all the chapters through a unified dashboard. Interested in learning more about the software? Get a free demo here.
In conclusion, having an effective and optimized website is crucial for the success of chapter-based associations. By avoiding common mistakes and following best practices, chapter-based associations can create a website that engages members, promotes the organization's activities, and helps the association achieve its goals.
If you have more questions regarding the website upgrade for your association, feel free to contact us here.
