Computers have only been around for a relatively short time, and yet already it seems impossible to imagine quite how we managed without them. For the new generation of teenagers, a world without the ability to contact your peers at all times of the day and night via smartphones and tablets seems positively archaic, and yet these devices have only been with us for a few years.
Nowadays we expect to be able to find the answers to all our questions online. Thanks to the massive resources that a laptop, tablet or smartphone puts at our fingertips, we can research, learn, organise, buy and much, much more, just with a few taps, swipes and clicks.
Is Your Website Out of Date?
Most organisations understand the need for a website in order to promote their services, but far too many have failed to understand that the internet is not static. A website that was designed and created even a few years ago is unlikely to be relevant today, thanks to the way that technology has advanced. Computer programming languages have become more sophisticated, and the choice of devices, operating systems and browsers will mean that websites from even a few years ago are unlikely to perform well on modern technology.
Fashions change, and this also applies to websites. The trend these days is for long scrolling pages, as these are easier to navigate on small screens. This is just one aspect of the way that advances in technology have a knock-on effect on the design of a website, so if you think that just because it isn’t broken it doesn’t need fixing, then you would be well advised to think again.
Automating Membership Processes
And now more and more organisations are cottoning on to the fact that a website can do so much more than inform. Incorporating membership management software into the system can actually have a major impact on the way that an organisation or society processes member information. Done correctly, it can free up valuable staff resources, saving time and money, which is always welcome in today’s financially constrained times.
Idealware offers an informative article about the different types of management systems that are available. Although the feature is aimed at an American audience of non-profit businesses, the principles are also valid in this country. In a similar vein, PaySubsOnline has a blog post which suggests various points to consider when assessing your membership management needs.
It’s possible to find open-source software products, but most organisations understand that in software, as in most aspects of life, you get what you pay for. When considering your membership management system requirements, it’s well worth making a wish list and approaching a professional web design and marketing company to see what they can offer. Companies such as ofec.co.uk won’t fob you off with an off-the-shelf product but will work with you to ascertain your exact needs and build a system to your specifications.
When you consider the amount of time – and therefore money – that you will save by automating your membership systems, you will find that paying for tailored professional assistance is money well spent.