New Site for IIMA – How We Got Here

On June 25, 2009, after months of planning and development, we launched our new website, albeit softly and with little fanfare. With the help of the folks at Engine Digital, we’ve been able deploy a site that breaths some life into the brand, while providing tools that make it easier to connect with the community and our members.

The impetus for the site’s redesign was a familiar one – “Out with old and crusty, in with new and shiny”.  While the old site met the basic needs of the association, it didn’t score many points for modern design. Several years looking at the same ‘business guy’ image in the header will tax anyone’s patience. When we finally decided to move on the refresh, all the other pieces powering the site came into question: CMS, Content, Event Management, Social Media Integration, Email Management, eCommerce, etc.

As our ideas for the site unfolded, we realized the best approach was going to be a hybrid of Web 2.0 tools, custom app development, social media integration and 3rd party tools. Here’s what percolated to the top:

• WordPress: Well supported, great developer community, tons of plugins: the defacto standard platform for custom blogs and a surprisingly decent CMS
• Event Management: A custom flavor of Engine’s Transmission CMS. We wanted something that looked good, which could easily integrate with our ecommerce platform.
• Email Marketing: Exact Target, an enterprise level emarketing solution used for email that is one of the best in the business. In the interests of full disclosure, Exact Target is a sponsor of IIMA. There, duty done.
• Social Media: Flickr, Twitter, Facebook. Don’t really think think this needs explanation, though we’re not done with Twitter integration yet.
• eCommerce/Membership: GiftTools – local company that specializes in providing non-profits with transaction processing and membership management services

You’ll see some changes over the coming weeks as we refine and improve a few features on the site, but what you see before you is the basic framework. We’re hopeful that you can find what you’re looking for and are intrigued enough by the site’s content to consider joining the association or attend one of the approximately 10 events we hold annually.

Thanks again to Engine Digital for their patience and support. This would not have been possible without your help. Feel free to provide your feedback or contact us directly at info at iimaonline.com

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