Case Studies: Ecoteer.com
Ecoteer.com allows conservation projects and eco-lodges to advertise their volunteer placements on the Ecoteer web site. Potential volunteers can search the site for suitable matches and sign up for placements through Ecoteer.
Ecoteer did not have an existing web site and after considering several design companies, Ecoteer chose Web Embrace because we were able to provide a professional design within their limited budget and timescales.
Project brief
Web Embrace worked with Ecoteer to define their business requirements and produced a written proposal. From this we decided Ecoteer.com required a strong visual brand that would attract a young audience of potential volunteers as well as conservation project leaders. A recognisable logo was a must but the overall visual identity of Ecoteer had to match their eco-friendly, idealistic attitude.
We worked with Ecoteer to define what content the web site needed to appeal to their prospective audience. A requirement of the site was that it shoud be easy for Ecoteer to update themselves because new placements would have to be added frequently. The site also needed to be able to accept PayPal payments online.
A screenshot of the Ecoteer site. The homepage displays different pictures each time it is visited.
Design process
Our approach was structured and organised, working closely with Ecoteer to ensure we met their requirements. This is a summary of the process and the methodology is similar to many web design projects:
- Several draft designs and logos were created and reviewed with the client
- The chosen design was re-worked to incorporate suggestions and improvements from Ecoteer
- The site template was then built, which was available for the client to review at anytime through our password restricted extranet
- Content was provided by Ecoteer and reviewed and edited by Web Embrace
- Web Embrace registered the domain name and set-up email addresses
- Flash animation, photographs and graphics were added
- PayPal functionality was incorporated to allow volunteers to make donations or pay for placements online
- The site was tested and re-worked
- Ecoteer.com was submitted to search engines and directories
- Finally, training was provided so that Ecoteer.com could update the site themselves and review visitor statistics. In the long run, this saves Ecoteer money because they do not have to employ a designer to make small changes
The final result
The project combined many of our services to good effect:
- Web site development
- Domain name registration
- Web hosting
- Email accounts
- Flash animation
- Search engine optimisation
- Search engine submission
- Web site statistics
- Graphic design
- IT training
Note that the Ectoeer team now update their site themselves so the current site may not reflect the quality of the site completed by Web Embrace.