Improving animal welfare worldwide.
We built a new digital platform for WVS that supports their commitment to improving animal welfare around the world. We help them in delivering more veterinary volunteers to areas that urgently need them, and are increasing their online donations.
The new WVS website helps support the charity in all of their output, and we’re proud to be working alongside such an effective organisation.
Founded by Luke Gamble in 2003, WVS (Worldwide Veterinary Service) is a major UK charity championing animal welfare globally. From disaster emergency response to veterinary training, WVS treats animals internationally and provides a vital lifeline to smaller international veterinary charities.
WVS contacted us in 2015 requiring a new website that would serve their needs as a rapidly expanding international non-profit.
One of the key strands of WVS’ work is recruiting qualified veterinarians to volunteer abroad on welfare projects, and so a primary goal for the project was to increase online volunteer applications. WVS also wanted to grow online donations, which is an essential source of income for the charity. It was important to improve the general user experience; making the site easier to use on mobile and tablet devices, and growing engagement around the site.
The work that WVS undertake globally is incredibly vast and diverse, with hundreds of volunteers, partners, donors and associated charities around the world. Balancing all of these users' requirements through one online platform was a delicate task, so we undertook an extensive research phase early on in the process.
We conducted user questionnaires with existing users and staff, and analysed the data. We researched best practice on non-profit websites, and planned and tested in-depth user flows and wireframes. We also developed user personas to identify the core audience base and their requirements, which later proved invaluable in clarifying and guiding our design decisions.
WVS had an existing brand, but it had never been fully realised in their digital presence. We developed a user interface inspired by their ‘on the ground’ global approach, with a rustic, travel-inspired feel. We introduced paint splashes, textures and torn edges, custom iconography, and took full advantage of their vast photo archive.
The site features a custom drop-down mega-menu, which pulls in live feeds of their current projects and donate buttons. We also introduced subtle transitions and hover effects which guide the user through the site. The site works smoothly across all modern web browsers and is fully responsive on mobiles and tablets.
In November 2016 we were delighted when the WVS website was chosen by judges as 'Charity Website Of The Year' at the Good Web Guide Awards. The website also scooped Silver Prize at the Davey Awards 2016, in the charity website category. We're thrilled that everybody's hard work was recognised; we think the results speak for themselves!
We designed and built a bespoke online donation system for WVS. Users can switch between ‘one-off’ and ‘recurring’ donations, and see the impact that donations will make. The system prompts UK donors to sign up for Gift Aid, whilst allowing international donors to pay in their local currency. The online donation system also ties in around the website on individual projects and causes, allowing WVS to track when donations have been made in connection with a specific campaign.
An essential facet of WVS work is recruiting volunteer veterinarians and placing them on animal welfare projects around the world. A primary goal of the website was to improve and grow online volunteer applications.
We designed a system to present and collect complex volunteer information in a way that was clear and user friendly. We also developed a powerful volunteer application process in the back-end of the site and website administrators can then review and approve the applications, which then prompts the visitors to secure their place with a secure online payment.
“Thanks a million to you and the team for your work on the website – it’s a real winner and I think it will make a massive difference to us. I am blown away by the site and what you’ve done. Thanks again for all your hard work on this.”
Luke Gamble, Chief Executive and Founder
