West Hawaii Association of Realtors

BEFORE

​"​​Susan Dakuzaku made it so simple to use Wild Apricot. My new site is so much faster and easier to work with than my old site. I just choose the page, make the change and click save. Susan led us through the whole process and we ended up with a design and a website that we love. Thanks, Susan!"

Karin Shaw

Association Executive

West Hawaii Association of REALTORS®

When I was contacted by the WHAR, they wanted a new website. A couple of shortcomings I noticed on their current site were:

1. The images used did not tell their “story”: lava, a surfer and an observatory had nothing to do with their Association or real estate in West Hawaii
2. There was no directory of their members. As a member, I think a value-add would be to be listed on the website in case any potential clients happened upon the website and were in the market for an agent
3. The way the Caravans were posted was labor-intensive to produce on a weekly basis AND pretty boring in its presentation. 

AFTER

The solutions included:

1. Photos from a local real estate photographer and a photo contest to solicit images from the members
2. Since a database was needed to support collection of dues, including a directory on the website was a fairly simple step of implementation
3. Customize a tool to allow data entry of the Caravan listings and GREATLY enhance presentation. What’s more, it will reduce the amount of staff time need to produce the printed Caravan list. (watch the video below)

Visit their new & improved website at KonaRealtors.com

Cordova Community Council, Rancho Cordova

As our organization has grown and evolved, we have considered Susan a key asset in helping us update and refine the communications strategy which is critical to our success. 

As an example of how this has worked for us, through email marketing and our website, our email subscription list has grown from less than 1,500 addresses in 2007 to more than 15,000 in 2015... and growing.  

www.CordovaCouncil.org

Susan was also instrumental in our movement to online event registration, ticket sales and more.

​Throughout our long relationship, Susan has become a trusted adviser and we have since recommended her services to many others. She has been professional in all dealings, her fees have presented an excellent value to us and she has been a patient teacher as the Cordova Community Council has ventured into new areas and taken on new technological challenges. ​

Shelly Blanchard, Executive Director

Cordova Community Council

NOTE: When I asked Shelly for a testimonial, she wrote a detailed letter. CLICK HERE to read all her comments. 

BACK STORY:

​We started working with the Cordova Council in 2006 by building them a website to support their biggest event, the Rancho Cordova 4th of July. During the course of the next 10 years, we have worked with the Council on developing their primary website as well as several websites to support special projects and events such as “20 Tons in 2010” and the 10th Anniversary of Rancho Cordova cityhood.

Our role over the years has been:

1. To provide the Council with websites that will support their goals and objectives. We have often made suggestions to optimize the functionality and audience engagement.
2. To suggest ways to utilize technology to make their job easier and make it easier for their audience to connect. Some examples are on-line registration and surveys, entry submissions, and ticket purchase.
3. To ensure their website is current. We always train our clients to be able to maintain their website but the Council has chosen to have us update the site. (Sometimes I would get an email from the Council making an announcement with directions to “check the website” and would pro-actively need to update the website at that moment.)
4. To evolve the site using current technology. A few years ago we suggested that the Council create a mobile version of their 4th of July website. It made sense that the audience would be mobile (on their way to or possibly at the event) when they visited the website. The first year traffic was indeed 63% mobile.By 2016, it was 75%. We have since converted their primary site to mobile as well.

Over the course of our collaboration, we have developed a great partnership to support the Council in its internet and technology needs.

Rancho Cordova Civic Light Orchestra

Susan helped us redesign our website to improve its functionality and appearance. She listened to our needs, and recommended an excellent platform for our site, one that had a lot of built in functionality that was still very user friendly. 

Then she performed the initial setup our website, customized some forms, and trained us to make updates. She did all this in a professional and efficient manner, providing much needed impetus and focus to get the job done.    Without her help, we would still be tryng to get our website done! 

~ Amy Hoffman, RCCLO

www.rcclo.org

BACK STORY:
This group needed something that most groups need: a website that can be easily maintained by volunteers so that the website is not in the hands of someone who may or may not be with the group in the years to come. When I look for a solution for them, the criteria are:

1. Finding the tool best suited to meet their needs. It is definitely not a “one size fits all” when it comes to website platform selection. They needed a members-only section that orchestra members could access.
2. That the website platform company has great customer support and additional training. I want my clients to have an alternate support system so they don’t need to call me for change requests or support or if something should happen to me.
3. The tool is (relatively) intuitive to use so an hour or two of training will provide them with the knowledge to make the most frequent changes themselves.

The RCCLO is a prime example as you will see their website has current events listed in their slideshow and calendar and still looks great after months of self-management.

Best Business Referral Network

I must say Susan Dakuzaku is an amazing Web Ninja. I have worked with Susan for the last 5 years, she designed and keeps my website updated and relevant. What I mean by Web Ninja is she is in and out of my website quickly, so there is very little down time and she implements new trends with lightning speed.

Two years ago I contacted Susan again for another website. Again, she was stealthy, and in great Web Ninja style created a website for our business networking group... the website is very user friendly and has updated calendars and member information. Again, Susan exceeded my expectations.

In my opinion Susan deserves a 6 star rating out 5.

Kathleen Beck, BBRN

Backstory:
Kathleen had approached me in 2012 to develop a website for their networking group. With our eNutshells platform, we are able to create complex Content Management System (CMS) website at a fraction of the cost. The website included a member directory and meeting information.

In September 2013, the group was considering going independent and a primary concern was the loss of infrastructure and support. Several other groups that had left the "mother ship" had floundered and disbanded. Part of the strategy we adopted was to let technology do much of the work to maintain the mission of the group (passing qualified referrals) and growth (inviting guests).

BestBusinessReferralNetwork.com

In December 2013, the Best Business Referral Network as born and their website includes the following additional features:

• Forms that allow each member to easily pass referrals and invite guests. Invitations include a RSVP form for the guest. 
• A photo gallery that is immediately update-able via photos taken on a cell phone so that visitors will see all the activity at the group
• A calendar that displays the schedule of featured members at each meeting as well as special events
• List of newest members as well as a list of business categories that we are actively seeking. 
• Rotating member "billboards" with their testimonials for the group or featuring them for their contributions to the group
• A mobile version that lets members and guests access member and meeting information from their cell phones
• A QR code that opens this mobile website which is featured on our rack card (a combination invitation and directory listing of our members)
• Integration of a Contact Management program that allow automated invoicing of dues as well as an easy way to stay in contact with previous guests.

As of July 2014, membership grew from 25 to 32 in 6 months. That's a 28% growth in 6 months... Now, not all of this was because of the above technology but I daresay it played a significant role. Also, not every business will experience this type of growth (but wouldn't it be worth exploring the Return-on-Investment?

CLICK HERE to schedule our FREE Digital Diagnostic consultation.