South Lake Art League

Project Overview

Client: South Lake Art League
URL: https://southlakeartleague.com/
Industry: Nonprofit Arts Organization
Location: Clermont, Florida
Services Delivered: Website Redesign (WordPress), Workflow Optimization, Form & Payment Integration, Calendar System, SEO Structure, Post-Launch Care Plan
Launch Date: July 2024

The Challenge

Before the redesign, the Art League’s website was showing its age. Pages were sparse with very little content, navigation was confusing with some duplicate pages, and important features for members, like registering for a class or joining an art show, had to happen offline. Everything ran on paper forms, PDF downloads, phone calls, and mailed checks.

This created real friction:

• Volunteers had to manage signups manually.
• Teachers didn’t have a student list of who was attending which classes.
• Board members struggled to stay updated.
• Prospective members were restricted to joining in person or mailing an application with limited human interaction.

The Art League needed a digital platform that could act as a true operational hub that would lighten their administrative load, make participation easier, and reflect the creative, inclusive nature of the organization.

The Goals

We worked directly with the Art League president to map out key goals:

• Create more options with online forms and payment options
• Make the site welcoming and easy to navigate, specifically for seniors, kids, and families
• Add content and clarity to event listings and class offerings
• Increase visibility in local search results
• Build a backend that any future staff or volunteer could easily manage

This wasn’t about bells and whistles. It was about building a site that worked for the people running the Art League and the community they serve.

The Process

Because we had already been managing the Art League’s old site, we came in with a strong understanding of their needs. That allowed us to skip lengthy discovery meetings and instead jump into meaningful planning and discussions.

After updating the South Lake Art League branding, we started with their homepage and prototyping a structure that would become the foundation for the entire site. After two rounds of collaborative revisions with the Art League president (and feedback from the board), we moved into full development.

The new site was built with:

• Clear navigation
• Dedicated pages for each class and art show
• Routing forms that notify the right people and collect payments (teachers, Art League admins and students)
• A dynamic calendar that organizes all offerings in one place

Post-launch, we’ve made updates based on feedback to improve the workflow for both the website and Art League operations. For example, adjusting how teachers and board members get information from new and active members on the website.

What We Built

• Art Class Structure: Each class has its own page with a description, schedule, teacher, and registration and payment form. Teachers are notified automatically when someone signs up.
• Event Pages: Major art shows have dedicated pages that live under a centralized art show page.
• Donations & Membership: Supporters can now join, donate, and renew memberships online.
• Forms & Workflows: Everything from teacher payments to sponsorship forms is handled digitally and routed to the right people.
• SEO Foundation: The site is structured to support organic search from day one, including logical page hierarchy, optimized titles, fast load times, and focused content.

The Results

Prior to the redesign, the Art League’s site offered limited functionality. Most interactions happened offline, and there was little clarity or consistency in how people signed up, paid, or stayed informed.

Before

After

Since launching the new site 9 months ago:

• The Art League receives an average of 160+ form interactions (starts or submissions) per month
• The class and art show sign-up process now takes minutes, not days
• Organic traffic has steadily increased, with most new visitors finding the Art League through organic search
• The Art League no longer has to manually track registrations, teacher payments, or event participation

The site now plays a central role in how the Art League operates. It gives structure, reduces confusion, and offers a professional, user-friendly experience for both staff and community members.

Investment Overview

This type of project typically falls in the range of $6,500–$9,000 for web design and development.

For organizations like South Lake Art League, this investment updated their operations, saving hours of admin time, improving outreach, and strengthening community relationships.

Key Takeaways for Nonprofits

• You don’t need a nig team to run a effective WordPress website, you just need the right structure that compliments your operations.
• Investing in clarity (forms, navigation, calendars) improves user satisfaction and team efficiency.
• SEO improvements can happen naturally when your site is built with an understanding of member and donor intent.
• A modern site can be a serious asset for fundraising, operations, and community engagement.

Final Thought

This wasn’t just a redesign. It was a reset. We helped the South Lake Art League go from a website they tolerated to one they’re proud of and, more importantly, one they can use to grow.

If your nonprofit’s website isn’t helping you do your job better, let’s talk.