We carried out a website design and development project for a local authority fire service who employ almost 500 people and serve over 800,000 residents from 19 fire stations.
Setting our sights on the objectives
We were approached to submit a proposal to consult, design, and develop a new website, then host and manage the site over a three-year period. The request for proposal outlined the need for this new website:
Discovering where we could add value to the project
We gained a deep understanding of the client’s requirements for this project and what was required from the content management system (CMS). In addition to the client’s requirements, we put forward several recommendations about how we could add further value to the project with integrations and cost-saving solutions.
At the fire authority’s head office, we explained how we would handle the project and achieve their objectives. Our experience in managing web development projects, and the technical expertise of our team gave assurance to the stakeholders, and we were appointed as the winners of the contract.
A project kick-off meeting was scheduled with the stakeholders.
We allocated a project manager and the fire authority’s marketing manager was put forward as their point of contact. This gave a clear line of communication between client and supplier to limit friction and drive the project forward effectively.
The deliverables of the project were identified and given specific timeframes, which were further broken down into milestones. This ensured relevant resources were allocated to every part of the project to keep it on track.
A file sharing repository allowed for website content to be easily collected and stored until required. This simplified document revisions and ensured all data making it to the website was current.
One of the most challenging parts of this development project was understanding the different types of content. The content was poorly structured on the existing website. Working with the client to restructure the content was a core component in the success of the project.
By collaborating with the fire authority and referring to existing website usage data, we were able to construct a sitemap and gain an understanding of user behaviour. We identified several different user types, each with their own objectives for the website.
Understanding each website visitor’s potential motivation for visiting the website allowed us to create new journeys and refine existing journeys to prioritise the content presented to them.
The user journeys were planned for the most frequent website visitor types. This created a personalised user experience designed to engage each user type with the relevant content.
We incorporated search, sort and filtering functions to allow users to easily access the desired content. As an example, we utilised meta fields populated with location details to integrate Google maps into incident reports. This gave the user an interactive visual experience while also providing them with additional information – such as the impact on local traffic.
We carefully considered where components of the website should be placed to progress the customer journey. Careful consideration was given to core components, including button size and placement to create the best possible user experience.
The design of the site took advantage of the recent visual identity update, which provided new assets that enhanced the brand across various devices.
Using our tried and tested process, we began examining the current content and how it was structured to determine what content needed creating, and by whom.
We were able to automate the migration of most of the existing content from the current website saving time on both sides. A manual capture of any missing files was then conducted and uploaded to the file repository for the client to validate and amend as necessary. The clean data was imported, keeping the new site as lean and fast as possible.
Meetings were organised to review the form and functionality of the site throughout the project. We proactively highlighted opportunities to add value as well as options to deal with challenges that had arisen. We addressed the feedback the fire authority presented, which allowed all parties to keep the project on time and on track.
Working with the public sector requires an understanding of accessibility, GDPR compliance and cookies policy.
Since 2018 all public sector websites need to adhere to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). We had to ensure that the site complied to WCAG 2.1 on launch and that it is prepared for the upcoming WCAG 2.2 requirements.
To comply with GDPR we ensure that no unnecessary personal user data is collected and stored through the website. To complete certain tasks, users are required to submit their details online. Our job was to ensure the right data was being collected, securely transmitted and stored. For example, job applications are submitted via a secure portal in line with GDPR guidelines.
Cookie tracking notifications were added, allowing users to toggle their preferences about which cookies they consented to track their data.
To ensure as many keywords as possible continued to rank well in search engines, a full-on site SEO migration was carried out. This involved migrating meta-titles and descriptions for each core page, adding the relevant structured data markup for each post type and creating redirections. Further technical enhancements were carried out to increase the page load speed and provide a better experience to visitors.
Significant testing was carried out on the website to audit and verify processes, artifacts, and adherence to standards. This was followed by real-world user testing (UAT).
Quality Assurance (QA) gave us the opportunity to check for anything not functioning correctly. This included mobile responsiveness, contact form submissions, and functionality testing. Any errors or bugs were noted and passed on to our development team to rectify.
User Acceptance Testing (UAT) was carried out by the fire authority. The aim was to make sure that the website could be managed by their team in a reliable and predictable manner. The team were happy with the familiarity of the CMS and only minor adjustments were required.
We have developed proven pre-launch and post-launch processes over the years. These involve robust testing of all functionalities, mobile responsiveness, caching, optimisation, re-indexing, SMTP and broken link checks to name a few. It ensures that the live site is up, ready, error free and ready for search engines to crawl.
After the launch of the website, we scheduled an in-person training session as soon as possible to ensure the fire authority could maintain the content of the website. They were delighted with the simplicity with which they could create and manage the content. Being given options to use a series of custom-built templated pages or use base formatting to create new content really empowered their team to easily create great quality that looked fantastic.
The project was deemed a huge success thanks to collaborative efforts, efficient project management and strategic planning.
We have seen the following KPIs improve in website performance:
We think Weaving Webs are the best!
The Bucks Fire Team
Weaving Webs Limited is a company registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 03739247.
Registered office: Weaving Webs Ltd, The Den, Bridge Street, Buckingham, MK18 1EL. VAT reg no: 277 6535 60
