Functionality Needed/Desired
- Information about the FMG Help Desk
- Ability to create a Help Desk Request
- Gardening Resources (add sub-bullets as desired)
- Curated links to other websites
- FAQ of common problems and their solution
- List of Approved FMG projects, pictures, and descriptions
- Who We Are Page
- Becoming a Master Gardener – Class information and schedule
- Event Calendar
- Contact Us function
- Social Media icons, link to Facebook
- Footer with required VCE language and logo
- Header with FMG logo
- Member-postable photo album
- All links to external sites work
Website Look and Feel
- Photo Slider with links to hot topics: help desk, soil test kits, MG classes, plant sale, latest projects, homeowner resources (note: not everyone likes picture sliders)
- Navigator bar follows you (bread crumbs)
- Logical menu structure
- Engaging color palette
- Eye catching photos on all pages
- Standardized fonts and style
- Social Media icons, link to Facebook
- Good page structure and organization
- Feature pictures of Fluvanna County events and FMG in action
Reference Websites – Ideas We Might Use
https://cms.botany.org Example Navigator Menu
https://vnps.org/ General home page layout, color palette, info available, navigator organization
https://tos.org/ Clean home page layout and flow, beautiful image and graphics selection
https://ahsgardening.org Good home page layout and pertinent info available, good header/footer info, prominent social media icons.
Pros: Very good content, very user friendly, easy to find what you are looking for. Menu at the top, sections especially done well Plant Clinics, Projects, Demonstration Gardens & Projects. Great photos for projects & exceptionally good explanations/narratives. Also, they have a link to Better Impact at the top.
Cons: I personally did not like the look/feel of the website especially the home page.
https://piedmontmastergardeners.org
Pros: Timely topics, Events.
Cons: Not easy to navigate.
Pros: Excellent Home page (on the right of the home page they have blocks with help desk contact, upcoming events, etc. They also include info on image use policy and a sitemap index.
Cons: None really, we are just in a different league for example, Northern VA MG website is maintained by a large social media committee.
Pros: Highlight local artist with black & white photo – it catches your attention.
Cons: I personally did not like the look/feel of the home page.