Many of you know I’m excited to be developing a website for the Broken Arrow Cub Scouts. In my last post, we explored some surprising insights about keyword research for this project. Now, we face another crucial decision: selecting the best platform to build the website on.
Our Goals for the Website
The primary focus remains providing a clear and concise guide for new families joining our pack. However, some alternative goals have been mentioned to me lately and the website’s purpose has expanded. We also envision it serving as a valuable resource for existing Scout leaders and a secure space for internal pack administration. (The pack is leaving much to expertise as a web developer, so I’ll do my best to accommodate everything.)
However, ease of use remains paramount. While I can develop the site initially, new families and leaders will take over as our family moves on. Therefore, the platform needs to be user-friendly for future maintenance.
WordPress: The Ideal Choice
Although sites like Wix and Weebly offer user-friendly interfaces, WordPress emerged as the ideal choice for this project due to its strengths:
- Flexibility and Customization: WordPress boasts a vast library of themes and plugins. This allows for a website design tailored specifically to the Broken Arrow Cub Scouts’ needs, including features like dedicated leader resources and private administration areas.
- Scalability: The website can readily adapt and grow as our needs evolve. Whether we need to add new blog posts, downloadable resources, or leader-specific pages, WordPress can seamlessly accommodate them.
- Leveraging My Expertise: As a web developer with experience in WordPress, I’m confident in setting up the website and creating a user-friendly guide for future leaders to maintain it smoothly.
Structuring the Website for Different Users
Here’s a glimpse into how we plan to structure the website to cater to different user groups:
- New Parents Guide: We’ll create a dedicated page with clear headings and bullet points, providing essential information for new families. Think of it as a digital brochure readily accessible at any time. More in-depth answers can be found in dedicated blog posts.
- Leader Resources: A designated blog category will house content related to activities, leadership tips, and other resources valuable to Scout leaders.
- Pack Administration: Utilizing WordPress’s user roles and permissions, we’ll create a private “Administration” section accessible only to authorized leaders. This is where pack-specific documents, calendars, and sensitive information can be securely stored.
Transparency and Collaboration
The Broken Arrow Cub Scouts website is all about fostering a sense of community and collaboration. By selecting a platform that allows for growth and easy maintenance, we ensure future leaders can seamlessly update and manage the website. In upcoming posts, we’ll delve deeper into how we’ll structure the content and functionalities to create a valuable resource for the entire Broken Arrow Cub Scout community.
