Modernized Nonprofit Website As A Robust Resource Hub for the DV Community
This project was one of the larger and more complex we’ve tackled — a nearly 50-page website spanning over three years of planning and development. Their previous website was severely outdated, with broken functionalities causing major usability issues. It was clear that a full rebuild was not just necessary, but essential.
Project Details
Overview
We partnered with Violence Free Colorado to create a modern, user-friendly website that prioritizes accessibility, usability, and support for survivors. From an interactive resource map to structured page content, the new site is built to provide a lot of vital information in an intuitive and approachable way.
Building A Powerful Tool for Survivors
One of the most significant additions to the website is the Survivor Resources Map — a dynamic, interactive feature that allows users to locate nearby domestic violence agencies. With 54 community-based organizations across Colorado, survivors can easily find help by entering their zip code, applying search filters, or adjusting the search radius. This tool makes critical resources more accessible than ever before.
Thoughtful Design for a Sensitive Topic
Given the nature of the organization’s work, it was essential to create a website that balanced informative content with trauma-informed design. Certain imagery or visuals could be triggering, so we followed specific guidelines when selecting visuals. After careful consideration, we opted for a nature-inspired aesthetic — using imagery of Colorado’s bright, sunny landscapes to instill a sense of hope and positivity while maintaining brand alignment.
The commitment to the survivor experience also extends to functionality, where we created a customized ‘Safe Exit’ button which appears on all site pages and on any device. If at any point, the user needs to leave the site quickly, pressing the button takes the user off-site to an innocuous webpage for safety.
Streamlining Content for Clarity
With nearly 50 content pages, one of the biggest challenges was avoiding information overload. To enhance readability and engagement, we implemented a structured design featuring custom graphics, buttons, and section titles to break up dense content. This approach made the site more visually appealing while ensuring users could quickly find the information they need without feeling overwhelmed.
