Creating a membership website and portal for your association offers numerous benefits. It’s essential to consider several factors before starting the development process.
Creating a membership website and portal for your association offers numerous benefits. It’s essential to consider several factors before starting the development process.SPARKS! helps membership-based organizations of all sizes, from small clubs to international associations. In many cases, the responsibility of managing the membership functions, events and finances begins with a founder or group of volunteers with a spreadsheet or (old school) a 3-ring binder. As it grows, however, an organization requires greater resources and tools to meet the needs of its members. That’s when a membership website and portal can be a valuable asset. But there are some factors to consider and choosing an experienced web developer – ahem…we happen to know a team – can be a valuable partner in the process. So, where do we start?
Let’s begin with the needs of the members. Assess your association’s current level of member engagement and interaction. If you find that members often seek information, resources, or networking opportunities, a member portal could be an excellent solution to centralize these offerings and encourage more engagement.
The size of your association and its projected growth can play a role in deciding when to develop a membership website and portal. Larger associations with a significant number of members are more likely to benefit from a centralized platform to manage member data, communications, and resources.
If your association offers various services, benefits, or resources to members, a member portal can streamline access to these offerings. Portals can make it easier for members to find what they need, participate in events, access exclusive content, and manage their memberships. A portal can serve as a secure repository for sharing documents, webinars, educational materials, or other resources with members, these materials, making it convenient for members to access them whenever they need.
A member portal can facilitate communication and collaboration among association members. It can include discussion forums, messaging features, and networking opportunities to foster connections and create a sense of community. And, if your association deals with sensitive member data, a well-designed member portal can enhance data security and ensure compliance with privacy regulations.
Consider the budget and resources available for developing and maintaining the membership website and portal. While member portals can offer significant benefits, they also require ongoing maintenance and support. Ensure that you have the resources to invest in the development and upkeep of the portal and we will make it easy to develop and maintain the applications and integrations.
Gather feedback from your members regarding their preferences and needs. Conduct surveys or hold focus groups to understand what features or functionalities they would find valuable in a member portal. Align the development of the member portal with your association’s strategic goals.
Finally, determine if you have the necessary IT capabilities to support the development and maintenance of a member portal, or if you might need to consider outsourcing the development to a third-party provider. Cloud-based applications are optimal for member portals because data is centrally maintained making transitions in leadership easy to facilitate.
