Major Decision Time
As I see it, we have two options as to the direction this project can take:
To use an analogy, we have an old car, no AC, AM radio, manual transmission, no power steering, needs major bodywork, etc. but it gets us to the grocery store & back
One option is to get the bodywork done so our neighbors stop complaining about the looks of our car.
The other option is to get a new car with the features that come standard with modern cars.
Suggested Overall Goal Statement
Visitors to this site will fall into three categories... members, prospective members and those responsible for the content creation. Each has different needs but should be able to quickly meet their needs. The actual content should be attractive, professional and informative.
Prospective members are looking to determine the club focus, its strengths & weaknesses to determine whether or not to join. The site menu structure should be such that it will be obvious what provided content is intended for them. There are two sub-groups here: residents of the area and non-residents who visit periodically or have a strong interest in the area.
Members are looking for information about current & future club activities as well as perhaps some past info they missed or want to refer back to. The menu structure should be such that they can quickly meet their needs.
Content creators should be able to efficiently input their content from their own computer. The format of that content will meet the attractive and professional standards set forth in the redesign of the website.
Suggested Specific Goals
Don't break existing management functions
Retain existing site but with a modern theme
Menus on top or side, drop down or fully open?
Slider to fill rest of screen
Upcoming events on home page - TBD
Clean up existing content to be more to-the-point. Combine where possible to reduce menu choices
More professional looking graphics. Eliminate "crayon" effect. Do you want to have an appropriate, high-quality graphic at the top of each page?
Pages with links to many other pages (PMP & Presentations) ... organize these with ease of use in mind. How far back do you want to go with Monthly Galleries & Presentations?
Suggestions
Remove password protection on portions of the website... Presentations, Newsletters, Photography links & resources, Gear recommendations, and Bylaws policies & procedures.
Drop Blog entirely. Too much work for so little gain.
Can any of the existing pages be eliminated (e.g., Shoot to Care & History)?
Consider adding a page to share the photography websites of members