Critical Features Every YMCA Websites Need, Part 1

Published: Thursday, September 15, 2022 | Tags: YMCA Membership Software, YMCA Resources, YMCA Website

Critical Features Every YMCA Websites Need

Any great website has features that work together to create a cohesive, user-friendly experience. When it comes to YMCA websites, a few key components are essential to engage members and promote involvement in the organization. In this two-part blog series, our YMCA website developer experts share some of the most critical features to have on your organization’s site.

Table of Contents

Easy-to-Use Content Management System (CMS)

Your website is the foundation of your marketing plan and often the first impression someone has of your organization. With more people turning to search engines like Google when they need information, you must have a well-designed site with fresh content. A robust and easy-to-use Content Management System (CMS) will help keep things running smoothly by enabling staff members to keep your website up-to-date with essential and timely information about membership offerings, programs, registration deadlines, and upcoming events.

Mobile-friendly Responsive Web Design

Mobile-friendly responsive web design is at the core of the ySite design. The average YMCA now generates more visits via mobile devices than desktop and laptop devices. One of the primary scoring mechanisms in the search rankings in Google is whether or not your site is mobile-friendly. Mobile-friendly sites have a responsive design, which optimizes content on any device, regardless of screen size. With over 60% of all internet traffic coming from mobile devices, your website must be designed with a mobile-first approach.

News Listings Feature

Turn your website into a news resource by adding relevant upcoming events, press releases, or other pertinent member information. Adding a news resource keeps your site current, provides fresh content for visitors and can help to attract new members. Your staff can also work ahead on news content and schedule a publish date for a future time. For example, suppose you have the registration dates and details for your fall programs or summer aquatics schedule. In that case, your staff can create the entire news release article with content, images, and registration links, then set it to publish on the desired date. The exact process goes for posting press releases on your site.

Email Marketing Tools

Effective and regular communication with your membership base and prospective members is paramount to growing your YMCA. Powerful email marketing tools allow you to effortlessly collect email addresses and send emails to entire groups of people. These lists can have thousands of email addresses and are segmented into as many categories as you can envision!

However, one problem many organizations face is developing an ongoing dialog with visitors to remind them to return to your website in the future. Using a Drip Email Marketing feature through your YMCA website software is valuable because it can send periodic messages to visitors to inform them of an issue, a pool closing example, or maintain an active presence with past visitors. Emails can include advertisements and links to your site, increasing web traffic and profitability. Whether it's newsletters, class cancellations, new member spotlight, or nurturing potential new members — an Email Marketing component is an absolute must for your website.

Events Calendars

When people come to the Y, they look for more than just a place to work out. They are looking for a community where they feel welcome and supported. The Y strives to be that community for everyone who walks through our doors. To best serve your members, your organization needs to have a robust, up-to-date, interactive calendar on your website for people to see upcoming events and programs and know what’s going on at the Y!

Using an events calendar on your website, your YMCA staff can easily add, edit or delete event information to ensure accurate, real-time updates. It also adds significant value and should represent a major portion of your website traffic. Members are drawn to your calendar, which generally resides on your homepage, allowing easy access to specific event information such as event details, date, time, and instructions. Remember to offer RSVP or online purchase of special event tickets benefiting the member and your staff.

Redesign your YMCA website

Are you ready to redesign your YMCA website? If so, our team at 立博客户端app下载 specializes in developing YMCA websites – we’ve launched more than 70 ySites. If your Y is looking to eliminate multiple data silos and software programs, 立博客户端app下载 Freedom is a total software solution that empowers YMCAs to work within a single software application that radically improves the member and staff experience.

So if you’re looking for a new YMCA website and Membership management software that will help increase membership and engagement, be sure to Contact us today! We’d be more than happy to discuss your specific needs and goals. We look forward to hearing from you soon!