A Wonderful Website for West Pier Trust
West Pier Trust WebsiteTo coincide with our special offer on our Website Starter Pack, we are showcasing some of our best projects online. Early this year we launched West Pier Trust’s brand new website. We return to the website to see how it has fared in the last months and ask our client how it has helped them. Read on to see the fruits of our labour.
In 2003 the West Pier was on the brink of £5 million restoration project when it was destroyed in two arson attacks. This led to a withdrawal of Lottery funding and West Pier Trust had to rethink their plans. West Pier Trust is now in the process of delivering a project with the designers of the London Eye to build an observation attraction on the site.
West Pier Trust comprise of two employed members of staff, a small volunteer group and 650 trust members. Their original website was a static html site which only one person was able add content. Mark James, an existing volunteer at the trust and Web Design and Databases project worker at SCIP embarked on a revamp of the website. In January 2010 SCIP launched a new website for West Pier Trust.
The brief
West Pier Trust wanted a site that:
- Was cost effective using free software
- They could update themselves
- Was easy to use and accessible
- Had training built in as part of the overall site development package
- Appeared in search engine listings
In addition, the site would:
- Provide vital information about the trust
- Contain photo galleries and feature videos
- Provide a way in which visitors to the site could contact the trust
- Require minimum moderation
- Have a facility for enabling visitors to submit their own photos to the trust’s archive
SCIP’s solution
Keeping the overall costs low was an important factor for West Pier Trust. SCIP used a pre-existing WordPress template and modified the design so that it was unique to the West Pier. WordPress is a great content management system to use. It’s easy to add content, using a familiar interface that is similar Microsoft Word. You can even undo mistakes. SCIP discussed ideas with West Pier Trust and complied a site plan to assist building and writing content.
Training
SCIP ensure that you receive the relevant training needed for you to take control over publishing and content management. We went through all the tasks that West Pier Trust would need to do on a regular basis and provided a bespoke manual. West Pier Trust now feel confident to update the site and SCIP are on hand if any queries arise.
What West Pier Trust thought
"We had a small budget for this project and we’re amazed with what SCIP have done. The news section is the most successful area of the website and the picture gallery is a great feature. With SCIP’s help we are now able to invite people to submit their own photographs to our archive. I like the fact that the site is evolving all the time and feels alive rather than dormant. The training SCIP provided was invaluable. I can now post news stories on to the site and keep our visitors informed. The increase of hits on the site has been phenomenal."
Rachel Clark,
Chief Executive of West Pier Trust
Future aims for the site
SCIP are currently working with West Pier Trust to develop a Memories page on the website which will be home to material submitted by visitors. It is hoped that this resource will preserve the heritage of the West Pier and reach a wider audience by being user generated.
Visit the West Pier Trust Website www.westpier.co.uk
To read more website case studies visit our Client Portfolio. We offer a range of bespoke website building and design packages with integrated support and training, all of which can be found on our Websites page.
