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The magazine, First Voice, which was launched recently, is a bimonthly publication for FSB members. The digital version includes additional information to the printed magazine and has been designed and developed so it is easily accessible to members. It is also mobile friendly, so they can view it in transit.
First Voice contains articles about issues in the small business community, how-to guides, advice and opinion pieces. Magazine content, which is exclusive to the online addition, includes white papers, webinars and infographics.
every1’s web development team worked closely with FSB and its branding partner to complete the website, from the consultation and scoping stage to launching the site.
The Lancashire agency won the competitive pitch against 19 others agencies. After phase one went live at the end of November 2015, it worked with FSB to develop phase two, with First Voice being the latest addition to the site.
Every1 Technical Director Chris Green said: “FSB wants to be the destination hub for small businesses. This means acquiring new members as well as retaining existing ones, providing support and guidance that can be easily found, and having its value as an authority widely recognised.
“In addition to helping FSB achieve all this, First Voice represents the eyes and ears of the small business industry. It keeps SMEs easily informed about developments in the sector, and while they are on the go, giving them the support and help they need to achieve their ambitions.”
The website, which coincided with the launch of FSB’s new branding, was immediately well received by its members and the wider business sector.
Rt Hon Anna Soubry MP, Minister of State (Minister for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise) for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, tweeted at the time of the website’s launch: “Excellent new website and service for small business”. (see attached image)
In helping to develop the website, every1 was involved in a series of workshops to help FSB explore the requirements of its users and stakeholders, then used this information to create wireframes (page structure and site flow), and design page layouts and different design views (to incorporate difference in device screen sizes).
The agency then mapped the complex user journeys – how website visitors will move through the site in search of information – so the FSB’s members (and thousands of non-member visitors) can easily find what they are looking for. The site was also built within an enterprise level content management platform that enhances how FSB and SMEs engage with each other.
Chris said: “The legacy site had done an excellent job, but it was more than 10 years old. Users have different expectations of how sites should look and behave now, and search engines have particular requirements too. The launch of a new website that meets these needs, and the objectives of FSB and its stakeholders, is very timely.”
“Now SMEs get easier access to the most up-to-date information, and the new site retains the search engine authority that the legacy site had successfully built,” he added.
