The objective behind wehopride.com is to create a powerful digital touchpoint that not only provides essential event details but also serves as a cornerstone for activism within the LGBTQ+ community. In 2024, we set out to enhance both the visual appeal and functionality of the site, ensuring it reflected the vibrant spirit of WeHo Pride while fostering deeper engagement. Our goal was to build a microsite that was not just informative but also inspiring—one that mobilized visitors to take action, learn more about LGBTQ+ history, and become active participants in the community.
We aimed to improve user experience through a cleaner interface, better navigation, and more cohesive branding. The addition of interactive maps, enhanced SEO functionality, and accessibility features ensured that all users, regardless of their interests and needs, could easily access and engage with the content. Prior to launching our dedicated WeHo Pride microsite, we relied on our official City of West Hollywood website to relay information about the annual event within a single webpage, which limited our ability to showcase the full breadth of programming, the vibrancy of the brand, and an enhanced user experience.
Our specific goals for the WeHo Pride microsite included increasing views, improving session duration, and boosting engagement with our events and community initiatives. The successful implementation of these goals has not only strengthened our digital presence but also solidified the City of West Hollywood's role as a leader in global Pride celebrations.
The strategy behind the redesign of wehopride.com was rooted in a desire to create a user-friendly, visually appealing, and highly functional platform that could serve as a resource for all things WeHo Pride. Our plan of action involved a comprehensive overhaul of the existing site, focusing on improving aesthetics, navigation, and user engagement while ensuring the content remained informative and accessible.
Key Features:
Custom Design/Cohesive Branding: We revamped the website with a custom design that aligned more with WeHo Pride. The new color palette, typography, and layout was carefully selected to reflect our brand identity, ensuring a consistent and engaging experience across all pages and platforms.
User Interface: To improve usability, we streamlined the site’s navigation, making it easier for users to find essential information. This included a cleaner layout and consolidated event listings.
Interactive Maps: One of the standout features of the redesign was the introduction of natively integrated interactive maps. These maps allowed users to explore WeHo Pride events spatially and contextually, with clickable elements that provided detailed information about each event. The maps also highlighted practical details like bathrooms, medical tents, and street closures, making it easier for visitors to plan their experience.
Hotspot Analytics and User Feedback: To continuously refine the user experience, we integrated hotspot data analytics that tracked user engagement. This data helped us identify areas where users were most engaged or potentially frustrated, enabling us to make ongoing improvements. Additionally, a feedback widget allowed users to provide direct input on their experience, further guiding our adjustments.
One of the significant challenges we faced during the redesign was balancing the need for a visually stunning experience with the practical demands of accessibility and usability. To overcome this, we worked closely with designers and accessibility experts to ensure that every element of the site was both beautiful and functional.
Additionally, creating the interactive maps required careful coordination with event planners to ensure all details were accurate and up-to-date. This involved close collaboration and multiple revisions, but ultimately, the maps became a key feature that enhanced user engagement.
Overall, our successful redesign of wehopride.com made the site a cornerstone of WeHo Pride, allowing us to reach and engage a broader audience than ever before.
The redesign of wehopride.com exceeded our team’s objectives, making our efforts a success. Our primary goals of creating a more engaging, user-friendly, and visually cohesive platform were achieved and are proven by the following metrics:
The microsite saw a 52% increase in views, rising from 1.2 million in 2023 to 1.6 million in 2024. This significant growth in traffic proves that our efforts to improve SEO, streamline navigation, and create a more appealing interface were effective in attracting and retaining visitors. Additionally, search impressions reached 715k, further demonstrating the enhanced visibility of the site.
Our focus on enhancing the user interface and accessibility features paid off, as evidenced by the increase in average session duration from 48 seconds in 2023 to 60 seconds in 2024.
The introduction of interactive maps massively improved the overall user experience. They not only made it easier for visitors to find and engage with event details but also provided a richer, more immersive experience. The positive feedback from users and high engagement levels with these interactive elements confirmed the success of this strategy.
The successful revitalization of wehopride.com’s look and feel not only serves as a powerful tool for advancing the conversation around LGBTQ+ rights but also stands as the central hub for all events and information regarding the month-long celebration.
