After a few years, many websites need a refresh, but other times a total makeover to increase its appeal and functionality may be necessary.

IBEW Local 520 in Austin, Texas, had already turned to BMA Media Group to redo its marketing website, but the website dedicated to its members was not included in the initial update plan. 

Local 520 has turned to BMA Media to perform the same magic it used for their marketing website on their member website. The Union wants a sleeker, but highly functional website where members can quickly find important resources.  

 

Two For The Show: A sleeker look with improved functionality, all designed by a union web design shop!

Local 520’s member website will perform two primary functions:

  • Serve as a valuable resource for its members.
  • Make the day-to-day work of its office staff more efficient.

 

The BMA web team and Local 520 agreed it made sense to align the updated member site to match the established brand of the public site. This included a modified logo, similar color scheme and overall page design – with just enough differences to avoid confusing the two web sites. 

 

A subdomain approach to increase SEO potential

To expand on its marketing website and increase overall Search Engine Optimization (SEO), BMA Media Group proposed transferring the new member site to a subdomain of the public website. Once the new member site is ready for launch, BMA will install a redirect to automatically take people visiting the old site’s domain to the new subdomain.

Like the redesigned marketing website, the Local 520 member site will be built on the Wordpress platform for easy content creation and editing. Local 520 staff will be able to make edits, aided by training provided by BMA Media Group. 

To preserve the integrity of the new website and its content, regularly scheduled backups will be conducted – another request by Local 520. 

 

The project in a nutshell

As part of the website redesign project, BMA Media Group will also:

  • Create an interactive calendar.
  • Include a link on the Home Page to a dues payment service.
  • Create an e-commerce section to allow members to buy Local 520 merchandise.
  • Create a page for New Member Orientation.
  • Redesign and organize pages with PDF documents for cleaner presentation.
  • Create a link for CW/CE Hours Reporting.
  • Design all pages to automatically render properly and operate smoothly on mobile devices with responsive design. 
  • Optimize all images/graphics, CSS and (x)HTML.

BMA Media is uniquely positioned to perform this work. Our relationship with Local 520 dates back to 2019, so we understand their needs. In addition to Local 520’s redesign and expansion of its public facing website, BMA Media has assisted with the Local Union’s social media channels and helped conduct extensive organizing campaigns.

BMA Media Group is proud to have this opportunity to further help IBEW Local 520. 

 

LaborTools powered by BMA Media Group has the experience and skills to create quality websites and ongoing marketing initiatives. Contact BMA Media to get started on your union website redesign today! 

 


LaborTools powered by BMA Media Group is used to help strengthen our union client’s organizations. From working with unions from the local level to the international, with training funds and labor management partnerships, as well as other labor organizations, BMA has experience with organizations of all sizes. We are here to create and implement unique and customized marketing campaigns for our clients.

 

At BMA, we offer services in the following categories: union event services (from writing the history of your union to executing the logistics of an event,) video production, website design, union marketing campaigns, print and broadcast advertising, social media management, development of print materials, building trades industry education, labor public relations and crisis management, union merchandise, as well as strategic >branding and >marketing of union organizations.

 

BMA Media Group is a Union Building Trades Contractor, signatory with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union Local 673 and International Union of Painters and Allied Trades DC 6 / Sign Display and Allied Trades Local 639. BMA Media Group is also signatory with AFTRA and an affiliate contractor of the Cleveland Chapter of NECA.

Topics: Member Communications, BMA Media Group, Website, LaborTools, Union, IBEW, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union

Laura Ziemianski

Written by Laura Ziemianski