Enhancing Usability for a Nonprofit Website

Elpis Enterprises

Elpis Enterprises began as part of the Minneapolis Jaycees efforts to provide youth with development programs.  The foundation started Youth Networks as an afterschool program.  In the early 90’s there was an opportunity to sell items at a festival in Whittier park.  Bird feeders were a logical choice for the skill level and tools available.  The feeders were a hit and they sold between 600 and 700 of them during and after the festival.  

The screen-printing portion of the organization started when a hobby press was donated.  Originally, the press was used for printing their own shirts.  Eventually they began to take on outside projects and the printing took off.  

These programs took on a life of their own and in 2002 Elpis was founded.  The program shows that if you give youth the opportunity, they will meet the challenge and achieve great things.

The Challenge

  • Tell the Elpis Enterprises story effectively and educate site visitors on the organization’s mission.
  • Update the site to a modern look and feel, and align it with current UX standards for functionality and interaction
  • Decrease site load times and improve the user experience.
  • Remove obstacles for site visitors to become customers and donors.
  • Improve ways to delight current customers and donors.
  • Increase organic search engine optimization (SEO) through optimized content.

Client Priorities

  • A site with increased usibility, that meets modern UX standards

  • Showcase their youth development programs
  • Make it easy for donors to give online

  • Staff can update the site themselves without needing a developer

The Plan

Our objective was to implement a modern website centered around a user-centric model. The focus would be on providing users with the desired information efficiently and ensuring a smooth transition through the "buyer's" journey to encourage conversions and donations. Our role was to ensure modern UX functionality for the new site through meticulous implementation and QA.

We would reduce load times on all pages to enhance website traffic, and all links and calls to action (CTAs) would be made easily identifiable and clickable. Additionally, legibility improvements would be implemented across all sections and pages.

The Results

The redesigned website significantly improved user experience with a clean, intuitive interface and seamless mobile responsiveness, making navigation easier across all devices. Enhanced accessibility features ensure the full audience can use the website effectively.

A user-friendly content management system allows staff to update content without needing technical expertise. Clearer calls-to-action and a streamlined donation process make it even easier to collect online payments. The improved site means that more youth can access these vital programs.