What tools were implemented to build this site and its reporting section?

Exploring the Building Blocks of a Remarkable Non-Profit Website

As part of my role at a non-profit organization, I am constantly on the lookout for innovative design inspirations to enhance our online presence. Recently, both my supervisor and I were captivated by the aesthetic and functionality of the website for The Fred Hollows Foundation. In particular, we were impressed by their dedicated reporting section, which combines visual appeal with clarity.

We are curious to learn more about the components and tools that went into developing such a sophisticated reporting section. For those who may be familiar with web development and design, we would love to hear your insights on how to create something similar to their reports, such as the detailed 2022 Performance Report.

Initially, I speculated that their reporting might be built using Shorthand, a platform known for producing visually engaging storytelling content. However, Iโ€™m beginning to wonder if other tools or methods were utilized in crafting their impressive reporting format.

If you have expertise in Web Design or have experience with creating engaging reports for non-profit organizations, your advice and recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.


2 responses to “What tools were implemented to build this site and its reporting section?”

  1. Creating a site like The Hollows Foundation involves a combination of design, development tools, and thoughtful content strategy. Hereโ€™s an analysis of what could be behind the aesthetic and functional elements of the website and its reporting section, along with practical advice for your non-profit.

    1. Website Platform & Technologies

    Most modern non-profit sites leverage content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, which is widely favored due to its ease of use, flexibility, and extensive community support. WordPress allows the incorporation of various plugins to enhance functionality, such as SEO, social sharing, and analytics.

    Additionally, many sites incorporate custom themes or page builders like Elementor or WPBakery to create a unique layout without extensive coding knowledge. Given the clean and visually appealing layout of The Hollows Foundation, it is quite plausible they employed a custom theme designed with modern web standards.

    2. Reporting Section Design

    The reporting section of their site is particularly well designed for accessibility and user engagement. Here are some elements you might want to consider when creating a similar section:

    • Visually Engaging Layout: Use grid layouts or cards to make reports easily navigable. Each report could include a prominent cover image, a title, and a brief overview to entice visitors to click deeper.
    • Interactive Elements: Consider incorporating infographics and interactive charts that allow users to engage with the data dynamically. Tools like Google Charts or Tableau Public can be excellent for this.
    • Responsive Design: Ensure that the reports are easily readable on various devices. Responsive design frameworks like Bootstrap can help maintain consistency across platforms.

    3. Content Management

    For the reports themselves, think about using PDF documents provided alongside HTML versions. This ensures that users can access the information in a familiar format while benefiting from SEO with HTML content.

    • Annual Reports: Create a dedicated page that summarizes key performance indicators, impact stories, and financial data, written in an engaging and easy-to-understand manner.
    • Visual Storytelling: Use narrative techniques that combine text with compelling images and statistics. Rather than presenting data in a dry manner, tell the story of your non-profitโ€™s impact to make the numbers resonate emotionally with viewers.

    4. Possible Tools for Creation

    While platforms like Shorthand offer advanced storytelling tools, itโ€™s possible to create a similar feel using tools your non-profit might already have:

    • WordPress Plugins: Use plugins like WP Forms for surveys or reports, and Advanced Custom Fields for custom report presentations tailored to your non-profit’s goals.
    • Google Docs & Slides: For collaborative editing of reports, Google Docs can allow your team to work together seamlessly. You can then export these to PDFs or integrate visual elements from Google Slides.
    • Canva: For visually appealing graphics and reports, Canva provides templates and design tools that are user-friendly for non-designers.

    5. Best Practices for Optimization

    • SEO: Ensure that each report has proper meta tags, alt texts for images, and schema markup to enhance visibility.
    • Social Sharing: Add social sharing buttons on report pages to encourage wider dissemination of your information.
    • Analytical Tracking: Integrate Google Analytics to track visitor behavior on your reports, which can inform future design and content strategies.

    Conclusion

    Building a site like The Hollows Foundation is certainly achievable with the right tools and strategies in place. By focusing on user experience, responsive design, and engaging storytelling, you can create a compelling reporting section that reflects the mission and achievements of your non-profit. With a focus on accessibility, engagement, and visual appeal, your site can effectively communicate your impact to stakeholders and the community alike.

    Overall, whether you choose to use WordPress?” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>WordPress or another platform, the key is to keep the messaging clear and the design cohesive with your brandโ€™s identity. Happy building!

  2. What an insightful post! The Fred Hollows Foundation does set a high bar for non-profit websites, especially in terms of presenting reports that are both visually appealing and easily digestible. To create something comparable, I’d recommend exploring a combination of tools and techniques.

    Firstly, Shorthand is a fantastic choice for storytelling-driven reports; its emphasis on visuals can help transform data into engaging narratives. However, consider integrating data visualization libraries such as D3.js or Chart.js for more custom, interactive graphs tailored to your specific data needs. These can elevate the user experience by allowing visitors to engage with the data directly.

    Additionally, using a Content Management System (CMS) like WordPress paired with plugins for display (such as Elementor for design flexibility or WP DataTables for dynamic tables) could streamline the process of updating your reports regularly without requiring extensive coding knowledge.

    For an extra touch, incorporating responsive design principles will ensure that your reports are mobile-friendly, catering to a broader audience. Overall, balancing solid design principles with effective data presentation tools will lead to a compelling reporting section. I’m looking forward to seeing how you implement these ideas into your own non-profit website!

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