Click here to access full RFQ document for Digital Strategy and Support Services
Questions or information related to this request should be directed to: Seth Treptow, streptow@grgstl.org
Questions and Answers
What are GRG’s primary goals and target audiences for 2021?
There are several goals we hope to achieve through this RFQ in 2021. We would like to build upon our existing web site to ensure a positive user experience. We would also like to look to maximize the potential of our website for sharing information about projects, promoting events, and highlighting key aspects of our work throughout the St. Louis region. We also look to make improvements to our site in terms of accessibility. As for audiences we have several we always consider. First, as a regional initiative, we always keep in mind the broad regional audience, particularly residents of St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County. For projects, we also consider more geographically focused audiences, particularly residents of areas near our physical projects. Beyond geographic based targeting, we are also actively working to engage with several key audiences, including outdoor enthusiasts, environmentally conscious individuals, young families, donors, governmental officials and corporate decision makers.
What are GRG’s biggest challenges in 2021?
As a sales-tax supported organization, the pandemic had multiple impacts to our organization in 2020. On the funding side of things, with less sales tax coming in, we have had to reprioritize many of our projects and adjust our planning efforts on all fronts of our organization accordingly. We also saw a huge impact to our programming, events and volunteer efforts in 2020. We have had to be creative and find alternative ways to further our mission over the last year, and our biggest challenge for 2021 will be a continuation of that adaptation, while also continuing to find ways to improve upon what has been done in the past and building towards our future.
What are you looking to improve / enhance with your digital marketing efforts? Additionally, what has been working well?
We would like to look for options for improving the overall user experience of our website. We also want to make sure our content meets and exceeds standards for accessibility. We also want to look for ways to bring more visual and interactive content into our platform.
What main qualities you are looking for in a team that will support GRG’s digital strategy and support services needs?
We are looking for a team that is capable of understanding the complex challenges of the work we do, is able to maximize our current efforts while also providing insights into new directions and opportunities. We are looking for a team that is collaborative, flexible and responsive.
Can you provide some sample projects GRG is considering for 2021 that would potentially fit within this scope of services?
We are currently in the process of conducting a third party accessibility audit of our existing website. We will work with our selected vendor to implement any suggested improvements to the site. We are also currently in the process of conceptualizing possible layouts for a new section of the site to highlight our Brickline Greenway project. The selected vendor will aid in the finalization of the concepts to ensure an optimal balance between form and function, and will construct the new section, developing new and modifying existing templates and resources as needed.
Does GRG currently have outside consultants or contractors that provide digital strategy and support services? If so, how are those needs currently being met? For example, what type of vendor(s) (i.e. individual, firm, or team) is being used for the scope of services? Additionally, the length of those relationships.
Yes. Great Rivers Greenway has been working with a web development firm to provide the services covered this RFQ since 2015. This firm has provided website support and maintenance services, lending strategic guidance proactively and as requested, and has also managed our SEO and paid search efforts.
For the scope of services identified, what is GRG’s anticipated budget or budget range for 2021?
We have currently budgeted $30,000 for work in this area ins 2021.
Who would this consultant report to at GRG? What other GRG team members would this consultant collaborate with on a frequent basis?
The consultant would directly report to the Communications Manager but may also be asked to direct provide consultation to other members of the Great Rivers Greenway communications and marketing team.
Does anyone on the GRG team manage any content updates to the website? If so, what type of updates are they responsible for?
Yes. Day to day website content is managed directly by the Great Rivers Greenway team, including all written copy and visual content.
Does GRG have a deployment pipeline in place?
In addition to its main, publicly accessible website, Great Rivers Greenway maintains a testing site where all improvements to templates, layouts and functionality can be thoroughly vetted before launch on the main site.
What does your hosting environment look like?
Our current website is constructed using WordPress and is hosted by WPEngine.
Do you have specific platforms in mind? re: mapping, fitness etc.
No. We are open to suggestions on this front and do not have specific platforms pre-determined.
What specific apps are you looking to integrate with?
We would like to explore options of greater utilization and integration with transportation related apps like WAZE and Google Maps and fitness related apps like Strava.
Do you have specific interaction and on-site platforms in mind?
We do not.
What are you doing in terms of UX research and usability studies? Has GRG ever gone through a Lean UX workshop, Contextual inquiry, or AB testing?
Our efforts on this front have been minimal though we are currently in the process of conducting a site-wide audit for accessibility and usability. We have employed some AB testing. We have not used any Lean UX workshops or contextual inquiry.