Compelling Design and Engaging Entertainment Section Helps the USO to Better Support our Troops
Situation
MarketNet was tasked with the complete redesign of the USO website. The effort included extensive discovery with stakeholders, development of the strategy for the website, creative design and development of the website and development of a custom donation platform. The USO wanted an online presence for the troops, families and constituents while providing the infrastructure for online fundraising. A few of the goals for the new site included:
- Create a visually pleasing website that touches the emotions of the visitor and captivates them to explore and learn more about the services delivered to the troops by the USO.
- Serve as a destination portal for active military and their families for information about USO services
- Create a flexible donation platform
- Create an Entertainment destination that showcases the life-changing experiences for the troops, their families and the entertainers who go on tour
- Provide the USO with the tools to allow them to manage the day to day updates of their site
Solution
MarketNet increased usability and added richer, deeper content to the site to increase daily traffic and user engagement. The site is built for easy maintenance and quick updates of fresh content by USO staff. The website is an inviting, engaging space for troops, families and other visitors to share and tell their USO story. The site is the destination to show your support for the troops with monetary donations as well as through various Walls of Thanks to leave personal messages for service men and women. The site includes streamlined search and more intuitive navigation, a high energy entertainment section, locate a center functionality, advanced social media integration, a custom platform for creation and testing of customizable fundraising campaigns and an eCommerce store to purchase USO merchandise.
Results
The new site provides the platform for the USO to increase fundraising dollars by driving donors from external email and interactive campaigns. The site not only features services and information about the USO, but provides the destination for other MarketNet developed interactive programs such as Thanks From Everywhere, an interactive map that hosts 50,000 personalized messages to the troops, the USO Wounded Warrior Site and an high impact Entertainment section to showcase the volunteer talent that the USO provides to the Troops.