The vision
WIRE sought a comprehensive redesign of its website with several overarching goals:
- Accessibility: Ensuring the site was welcoming and functional for all users, including those with disabilities or limited digital literacy.
- Trust: Creating a secure online environment where stakeholders feel confident accessing resources and engaging with WIRE.
- User experience: Simplifying navigation to allow community members, professionals, and funders to easily find the information they need.
- Scalability: Building a platform with the potential for future enhancements, such as a Learning Management System (LMS) and event management functionality.
- Brand alignment: Updating the website to reflect WIRE’s refreshed visual identity.
The ultimate vision was a user-friendly, engaging, and secure website that could meet the needs of various audiences while empowering WIRE to manage its online presence independently.
Testimonial
We recently had the pleasure of working with Butterfly on the development of our new website, www.wire.org.au. From start to finish, the experience was exceptional. The Butterfly team had outstanding communication skills, always keeping us informed and on track. They were incredibly supportive and easy to work and maintained a driven approach throughout the project.
Despite our ambitious timeline, Butterfly delivered the project on time without compromising on quality. It truly felt like we were collaborating with our internal team. They listened attentively, asked insightful questions, and stepped in whenever we needed their expertise.
We highly recommend Butterfly for their reliability, passion, and genuine commitment to making a difference. They care deeply about their work and the impact it has on their clients. We couldn’t be happier with the results.
– Mahsa Hajjari, Manager – Development and Partnerships
The process
Butterfly approached the project with a clear strategy to deliver a high-quality website aligned with WIRE’s objectives:
- Discovery and planning
The team began by reviewing WIRE’s organisational goals, target audiences, and user research. WIRE provided critical insights into stakeholder needs, which were used to shape the website’s design and functionality. Regular meetings with WIRE ensured alignment at every stage, creating a shared understanding of the project’s scope and vision. - Information architecture and design
Butterfly developed an information architecture that prioritised clarity and usability, making it easy for different user groups to navigate the site. The design phase focused on applying WIRE’s updated branding while ensuring the site’s aesthetic supported its mission to foster trust and inclusivity. - Development and implementation
Using WordPress as the foundation, Butterfly’s developers built a secure, resilient, and scalable website. The team strategically used free, high-quality software to meet budgetary constraints while delivering key features. The new content management system (CMS) empowers WIRE to independently update and manage content, saving time and resources in the long run. - Collaboration and project management
Regular communication was central to the project’s success. Weekly progress reports and collaborative sessions allowed WIRE to provide feedback, make small adjustments, and stay informed. Butterfly’s project management approach combined elements of Agile and Waterfall methodologies, ensuring flexibility without compromising deadlines or deliverables. - Testing and quality assurance
Quality was “baked in” at every stage of the project. The team conducted rigorous testing, including peer reviews of code and functional assessments of the website, to ensure it met industry standards for accessibility, performance, and security. Before the launch, WIRE was given ample opportunity to test the site and request refinements. - Meeting tight deadlines
Midway through the project, WIRE requested an accelerated timeline to launch the website before Christmas. Butterfly adjusted its workflow to meet the new deadline, successfully delivering the live website with all functionalities in place, a week ahead of schedule.
The outcome
The redesigned WIRE website went live on time, within budget, and with no technical issues. The project achieved the following key outcomes:
- Improved accessibility and trust: The new site design ensures that all users, regardless of ability or background, can confidently engage with WIRE’s resources.
- Enhanced user experience: Simplified navigation and an intuitive structure allow stakeholders to find information quickly and efficiently.
- Operational efficiency: The robust CMS enables WIRE staff to manage the website independently, reducing reliance on external support.
- Alignment with strategic goals: The platform is now equipped to support future functionalities like an LMS and event management tools.
Fundraising impact: Within weeks of launch, the website facilitated WIRE’s first recurring donation, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s ability to generate sustainable funding.
Looking ahead
The success of the website redesign positions WIRE to expand its reach and improve its service delivery. The platform’s flexibility ensures it can adapt to evolving needs, while its user-centred design reinforces WIRE’s reputation as a trusted and inclusive organisation. Butterfly’s collaboration with WIRE exemplifies the power of strategic design and development in driving positive change for communities.
This partnership demonstrates how thoughtful digital solutions can empower not-for-profits to achieve their missions and sustain their impact for years to come.
