Web Developers as Integrated Partners

October 20, 2009 | by Jill Kurtz | Posted in Web Development, Web Strategy

Working with a web development firm like Balance Interactive can be a cost-effective way to extend your organization’s resources. Engaging that firm as a full partner, rather than just project help can bring new levels of effectiveness to your organization. You know your business – the latest developments, the needs and pain points of your membership and what’s on the horizon. Web developers know the same about web-based technologies. Marry these together and you are in a solid position to leverage the web to catapult your organization to higher levels.

Partnering for Success

To get the most out of a relationship with a web firm, set the tone for an ongoing partnership. Educate your web partner about your business. Articulate your organization’s vision and goals. Allow the firm to develop a sense of investment in you.

Technology impacts every aspect of your business. A partner that is engaged at the highest level of the organization has the opportunity to offer you wide-ranging strategy and solutions. A web partner will leverage web-based technologies to help you accomplish your goals as well as identify other ways to improve performance.

Where the Web Fits In

Your website is a way to share information and create awareness about the organization. But it has greater potential. Web technologies can support all your organization’s goals. The web can help you to translate business practices to efficient online processes, integrate isolated technologies, bring best practices to your website, and more.

The following case studies illustrate some opportunities that web-ifying your organization can bring. 

Case Study: Streamline Business Practices

A non-profit with a small staff had a lot to manage – state reporting, attracting and serving members and donors, event planning and tracking land acquisition work – just to name a few. Staff members were tracking the same data in multiple places, and needed careful communication to coordinate contacts with constituents. Not an ideal situation.

The organization reached out to a web company to find a better way. CiviCRM, an open source solution, was identified as a viable solution to streamline business processes. Any web firm could set it up, but this project went much deeper.

The non-profit partnered with the web firm and to get the most out of the effort. By explaining current processes and the business needs that drive them, they enabled the web firm to create a customized implementation that addressed needed work flow and outputs. The organization now does the bulk of its work online.

Case Study: Integrate an Association Management System (or Any Other Business Tool)

A large trade association invested in a state of the art association management system (AMS) to manage relationships with members and streamline internal processes. The association’s web partner offered a way to get more out of the investment – leverage it on the organization’s website.

Through the use of a single sign on (SSO) protocol, users can log in to the website and see content according to their roles. They access the AMS to set-up and maintain membership information.  Transactions are recorded in one place, helping both members and association staff with online and offline activities.

Case Study: Optimization Around Business Goals

A small organization was looking to generate awareness in the marketplace and attract customers. Its website was relatively new, but it wasn’t generating results.

The company found a web partner to help. The owner shared his business plan and his goals. He briefed the web company about the business model.

The web firm evaluated the site and web metrics and identified opportunities for improvement. Implementation happened over time as part of an ongoing commitment to targeting and meeting specific goals. Systematically, the organization achieved the results it needed.

See all of Balance Interactive's case studies.