A fast-turnaround website redesign and hands-on volunteer training session built through our Website in a Day service. We replaced a clunky, rigid WordPress layout with a clean, fully accessible digital archive built on the Avada theme. By setting up smart tag and category frameworks and teaching the volunteer team how to publish content independently, we helped them build a sustainable foundation to expand their reach worldwide.
Client:
Shifnal Local History Group
What they do:
Shifnal Local History Group is a dedicated community organisation run by volunteers in Shropshire. They preserve and share centuries of local heritage, from Bronze Age artefacts and Roman roads to fascinating parish records, historic buildings, and stories of the people who shaped the town. Their site serves as a digital archive for locals, researchers, and people across the globe tracing their family roots back to Shifnal.
Helping Shifnal Local History Group Share Their Stories Beyond Their Borders
The Roadblock
When you run a community organisation or local charity, getting the basics right online can feel like a steep hill to climb. You want a site that reflects the heart of your work, but you rarely have a massive budget or the technical background to manage a complex digital build.
That was exactly where Shifnal Local History Group found themselves.
The Challenge: A Clunky Site and Hidden Potential
The group already had a WordPress site, but it felt rigid and tricky to navigate. The underlying technical framework was very evident, making the site feel outdated. The team of volunteers simply didn’t feel confident updating it or adding new content.
Recommended by a trusted colleague in Shropshire, Marilyn reached out to see if we could find a smoother way forward within a tight timeframe and limited budget.
Their main goals were simple:
- Raise their profile: Build an online presence they felt proud to advertise.
- Attract support: Make it easier for people to discover local history and get involved.
- Empower the team: Ensure volunteers could easily manage the site without fear of breaking it.
The Solution: A Focused “Website in a Day” Build
Because the group already had an existing site, we didn’t need to start from absolute scratch. Using WordPress and the Avada theme, we undertook a focused, one-day build to refresh the design and lay solid online foundations.
- Smart Categorisation: We set up a simple blog structure using tags and categories. This allowed the team to create topic-focused landing pages automatically, without needing technical skills.
- Designed for Organic Reach: Shifnal has hundreds of fascinating stories about local people, places, and buildings. As the volunteers upload these archives, the site’s reach naturally expands to history enthusiasts across the globe.
- Hands-on Training: We spent time nurturing the team through the editing process, teaching them how to manage posts without bombarding them with hi-tech jargon.
The Results: Good Bones for Future Growth
By focusing on clear navigation and practical backend management, the group now has a welcoming digital front door that works for them today and leaves room to expand tomorrow.
- Wider Engagement: The group is now receiving historical enquiries from further afield, connecting people researching their family roots directly with Shifnal’s archives.
- Growing Confidence: The volunteer team feels equipped to log in, add content, and manage the site on their own terms.
- Community Pride: The team actively advertises their new site with complete confidence.
Ready to Find a Smoother Way Forward for Your Charity?
Building a great website shouldn’t feel overwhelming, no matter the size of your team or budget. If your current site feels a bit stuck and you’d like to map out the next stage together, I’m here to help.
Get in touch to see how we can help you
