Replacing The Current Website
The Redevelopment Plan
published : 21:30 by ValentineSaunders
I want to in this proposal to try to set out all of the issues that are involved in the current state of the website and what we plan to do about in a collective way as this something that has to be handled
professionally.
Current Situation
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The present website is at best a mess and at worst something that simply doesn't work that well and more scary something that is basically fairly insecure. In addition the look, feel and user experience is in need of a complete makeover to make it attractive new and current members. There are also issues about accountability, transparency and more, all of which is leading to doubts, suspicions and misgivings about the site.
Proposed Changes
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Here is our proposed plan for the complete replacement of the site. After talking with all the people that have an interest in the site its clear that with the time line we have now this close to the renewal date and the need for so much development. We believe that the best course is to blend together two professional teams so that all the required development skills and all the needed resources needed for the site can be handled within the time line available which is very tight but can be achieved with the commitment of all parties.
The people that are being brought together are as follows:-
Paul Saunders (977 Media) MyFC SB member - Overall Project Management
Ruth Woody (977 Media) - Migration Planning, Module Development and Web Hosting,
Dave Twisleton-Ward - Content Transfer Plan and User Experience
Julio Taylor (Big Spring) - Member Usability, Overall Design and User Interface
Jon Martin (Big Spring) - Subscription and Membership Accounting and Administration System
In addition to the above personal both the development teams will bring additional people from their own staff to complete the needed work within the time line based on the overall workflow.
Development Plan
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Phase 1 -- Launch Date -- To be completed by 19/2/2010
Replace current MyFC website - take a look at http://www.bigspring.co.uk/dev/myfc/ as sample of the site work that has already been done onto which all the new functions and content will be added
Build promotion and buzz around the new site launch
Add reporting and tracking so that sites stats are clearly available using standard metrics.
Revise the advertising placed on the site and create a new plan this revenue generation.
Replace the current web hosting platform from Cal's company - this will be provided by 977 Media
Market the new site to the social networks include the integration of Facebook and Twitter.
After launch date - market directly to all non-renewing members to bring as many back as can be engaged and recovered.
Phase 2 post the re-launch date
Add various language translation to the new site to further engage overseas members and develop new member areas.
Add additional features and new membership features through a planned development strategy designed to engage all current members and increase the overall membership.
Discuss a possible merger or sharing of content with the current EUFC website.
Financial Details
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This I know is a difficult area as finance is tight right now but its my belief and the belief of all of the above team members that this expenditure is needed if we are how a clear future plan.
To complete all aspects of the Development Plan as set out above the total cost would be a total cost of £10,000. This would be paid by an initial 25% deposit £2,500 paid immediately and this will be split between the Big Spring and 977 Media development teams enabling work to get underway. Then 3 further payments will be staged over the following 3 months in March £2,500, April £2,500 and May £2,500 as the final payment for the website replacement. This staged plan is flexible and designed to be set at a rate so that the finances of MyFC are not strained right now before the major renew season.
Based on the renewal numbers in February so far and the numbers that could renew by the Feb 19th deadline (some 4,500 approx) if the present membership fee is £50 per year this complete site replacement is equal to 200 new members. I'm confident that we can attract many more new members and reactivate members that have dropped off in the past with this new website. However if 4500 is the number lets assume that we can expect some 3,000 to actually renew which is £150,000 of which this development budget is 6.6%. Plus the added value benefits that can be gained but this replacement site will I believe enable the Club, MyFC and the Society to create the proper platform to enable it to survive and grow into next season and beyond.
The Long Term Website Management and Development Plan
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However if this plan is to be completed and also taking to the maximum so consideration to the future must also be considered. To handle this we need a strategy to enable the website to evolve, grow and develop long term. To do this a budget is needed to be agreed, and we are suggesting that £3 out of each membership fee new or renewal be allocated for a web development fund. This will enable the site's continued development, the covering of the hosting and maintenance costs.
Conclusions
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While I respect the fact that many will see me as a new and as yet untried member of the MyFC SB I can to this project passionate about the possibility that this concept offers in terms of the development of MyFC and the success of Ebbsfleet Utd as a Club both on and off the pitch and I believe that if we take the proposed plan we can achieve the goals that we are all striving for of a successful and vibrant membership into the future next season and beyond. I am available for questions, direct contact and yes I am prepared to take the flack for proposing this plan cause I believe wholeheartedly that this is the
right plan and the right time to act.
Finally I would just like to say on a purely personal level I want to see this club success as I was born in Kent and would be awesome to see a team and a club from Kent go on into the Football League in the future and we have the ability to make that happen if we bring everyone together and make a commitment to achieve this goal.
Paul K Saunders aka ValentineSaunders
MyFC Society Board Member
Snr VP of Media Development
977 Media LLC
Denver Colorado
paul@977media.com
