Case study: Edinburgh Tenants Federation

We recently completed a website and Logo redesign for the Edinburgh Tenants Federation (ETF); the umbrella organisation for local tenants and residents groups in the City of Edinburgh.

The brief was to address the weaknesses of their existing website (the content was poorly organised and it was difficult to update) and add a host of new features that would help serve ETF members and their target groups, i.e. Tenants and Residents, Funders, Landlords and Community and Learning Development organisations.

Making online communication easier

The aim was to provide relevant news and information to tenants and residents and to encourage greater participation from members and ETF’s various target groups. Additionally, to generally make online communication easier and quicker. Some of the new features developed as part of this process included: more social media integration, a new newsletter system, an events management system, the ability to run questionnaires/polls on the site and an easier method for updating the site.

Addressing the weaknesses of the old site

Content on the the old website was poorly organised, the site was difficult to use and very difficult to update. The site design was also considered to be dull and uninspiring. In addition to the website development, the Logo required redesigning and there was a need to give a more professional feel to the overall online ‘brand’ of the Edinburgh Tenants Federation.

We successfully addressed all of these issues with the new site design. In relation to improving site management we chose WordPress, the world’s most popular content management system. WordPress is both powerful and very easy to use, although, as with all content management systems, there is an initial learning curve; however, once you are up and running it’s a great way to manage a website.

Serving the needs of ETF’s audience

Initially we spent a lot of time exploring (with the staff and ETF committee) the needs of the audience that ETF serve, in order to make sure that the website reflected and served those needs.  We wanted to ensure that those things that are the most important for each group should be the easiest to find on the site.

Prioritising target groups and their needs is usually a difficult process – and that was true in this case.  However, it proved to be worth the effort as it not only helped with regard to organising the site content but also proved to be beneficial for ETF staff as well, helping to clarify and codify the needs of ETF audiences and the relative importance of those needs.

The website was launched at the ETF AGM and has had extremely positive feedback from all concerned.

“In 2014 Edinburgh Tenants Federation worked with Jim Byrne in an exciting project to overhaul our branding and website. Jim’s brief was to help ETF develop an easy to use website with a fresher look that would appeal to a younger audience and have increased functionality. We had a vision of what we wanted the website to do, and Jim’s technical brilliance and experience of web design helped us to achieve what we needed.

A big part of the brief was to redesign our branding and logo – and in this we were much less clear how we wanted to proceed. Jim’s patience and close work with his designer meant we got a vibrant new image that we could use across all media.

One of Jim’s great strengths is in finding out what clients really need, and throughout the process testing those aspirations with practical examples. We found Jim easy to work with, friendly and professional and we are happy to recommend his work.” Clare MacGillivray, Development Coordinator Edinburgh Tenants Federation

Take my Web Accessibility Online Training Course - WCAG 2.1 Compliance

Learn to design and manage WCAG compliant, accessible websites with my online course

You will learn both the techniques of accessible website design and an entire ‘framework for thinking about the subject’. It will equip you with the skills to understand, identify and fix issues any accessibility issues you come across. Watch the free videos to get a taste of what is on the course.