AFME

Replatforming to DNN Evoq for a Significantly Improved User Experience

The Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) is the voice of all Europe’s wholesale financial markets, providing expertise across a broad range of regulatory and capital markets issues.

AFME wanted to re-platform their existing website to enhance content manager flexibility and integrate with their CRM system more effectively. Their existing site was limited by technology that didn’t afford the required levels of flexibility and agility that are expected of a modern CMS. Content management was becoming a burden on admin staff – processes like updating the committee directories and member details were time-consuming and limiting.

They approached us looking to re-platform their website to DNN Evoq – an enterprise CMS. A new, robust platform was essential, as well as an agency that would be able to get the most out of it. As experts in delivering digital solutions on all editions of DNN Evoq, AFME selected Cantarus for the job. The key project goals were simple:

Increase content management flexibility,
Dramatically enhance the AFME brand through a high-quality online presence,
Fully integrate the website with CRM,
Ensure a seamless transition to the new environment.

Following a two-day on-site workshop with the AFME team, together we compiled a list of pain points with the current platform and formalised an effective plan for the future.

three mobile panels from the site, showing member benefits

A 'Lift and Shift' Process

The first phase of the project was the re-platform to DNN Evoq. We created a fully mobile-responsive theme based on the existing site, working closely with AFME to ensure flexibility was baked in from the start.

Our Creative Design team conducted a review of the site and suggested any quick wins that could be made during the theming process. AFME was provided with a flexible theme that allows managers to add in various content types, like images and video, effortlessly. We worked with AFME to refine user journeys in need of optimisation to ensure this was also fed into the development process.

DNN Evoq provides content managers with the ability to build personalised pages based on user attributes such as membership level, location, or the website that referred them to the current page. AFME can now ensure visitors have a more tailored experience, driving them to return in future, and view the website as the first point of reference for any future international requirements.

We also provided on-site DNN content management training so the team could get a good feel of the platform, and AFME can access advice whenever they need to refresh their skills.

As with all our website builds, our goal was to make it straightforward and easy to manage for our client. AFME’s old site was slow and limited, and we needed to ensure they were investing in a platform that would enable future growth and development with ease.

DNN is designed to provide its users the ability to curate rich digital experiences without any prior technical knowledge. Reducing the admin burden for AFME staff was a huge aspect of this project, so this was highly useful Evoq functionality.

AFME was eager to improve the general layout of their event pages by having more prominent CTAs in place, improving the agendas, and drawing more attention to attendees. We built an entirely bespoke and fully integrated Events system for them, including event registration. Now, AFME can create their events in CRM and the website automatically pulls it all through, including the registration journey, without any manual CMS effort required. The event pages are both printer and mobile-friendly, and a list of sponsors has been utilised with company logo and interactive bios to enhance the overall aesthetic.

Cantarus provides a fantastic service, and just generally they are an excellent, knowledgeable, and friendly team to work with. The new AFME website is a much better, more seamless experience for our members. We’re really impressed – would definitely recommend Cantarus to anyone looking to upgrade an existing website.

Nahom Kagnew Digital Platforms Manager

The Results

The new AFME site has already proved a success with its hugely improved user experience. Both AFME and Cantarus project teams worked really well together, and we continue to provide a number of smaller projects for AFME post-launch. AFME now closely collaborates with our Client Success Team, meaning their solutions can continue to evolve and thrive long after go-live.

Want to know more?

Our Chief Delivery Officer, Brendan Killough, would love to chat with you about your website needs.

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