The Abbey Flyer Users’ Group (ABFLY) approached Primary Image to redesign their existing website.
ABFLY campaigns for improved services on the Abbey Line, which runs for over six miles from Watford Junction to St Albans Abbey station, in Hertfordshire. The group has been very successful in securing extra investment for the line in recent years.
Whilst ABFLY had an existing website, it was very extremely basic, so they wanted a completely new image. They also wanted the new website to grow membership numbers.
ABFLY wanted to chose a web design agency who had proven experience in the rail sector, so they approached Primary Image with their spec. They also knew from our previous work that we use an easy-to-use content management system (CMS), called WordPress. This would mean their publishing process would be made much easier.
The design spec:
ABFLY had a clear specification for what they wanted.
The website that Primary Image built includes:
- A news module – with headlines displayed on all pages (in the footer and sidebars) for maximum visibility.
- An events module – with automatic Google Maps integration and past events automatically archived.
- File listings – for ABFLY to upload their PDF newsletters, timetables, meeting minutes, etc.
- Clickable maps – so visitors can find out about station facilities and local information.
- Photo galleries – with a popup carousel format, which visitors can control via their keyboard.
- An online membership form – which links to PayPal for taking payments.
- An email list subscription facility – for ABFLY to keep in touch with their members.
With the website’s large page structure, the navigation needed careful consideration, so people can easily find the different sections.
Primary Image also designed the new ABFLY logo and branding, as well as provided web hosting and email accounts.
We launched the new website in May 2015.
Award-winning website
We were delighted this new site was awarded “Best Website” at the national Rail User Group Awards. The announcement was made at an awards ceremony in Bristol.
Dave Horton, from ABFLY, said:
Back in 2014 I knew our website was hopelessly out of date and doing nothing to promote the group. When I saw the results of last year’s RUG Awards, I looked at the standard of the finalists and made it my aim right then to win best website in 2015, and here we are! It took many weeks to write and perfect the specification but then it was handed over to our delivery partner, Primary Image, who have done an absolutely fantastic job in designing a website which, in the words of the judges, is “clear about ABFLY’s aims and activities, well-designed and user-friendly.”
We were also really pleased to hear that Dave Horton, who looks after the ABFLY website, was commended for his work under the “Best Campaigner” category.
ABFLY said:
Can’t recommend you highly enough Primary Image!
Thanks for your kind words ABFLY!