Children’s Defense Fund Reports Significant Increase in Website Traffic After Redesign with Convio Software

Site Visits, Search Results Show Improved Performance

Washington, DC (June 15, 2009) —

Leading child advocacy organization, the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF), released information today that six months into the launch of their redesigned website (www.childrensdefense.org), site visits have increased 12 percent, Google organic search visits have risen 23 percent and the average time spent on the site has climbed 15 percent. These statistics demonstrate how the redesigned site reflects CDF’s deepened understanding of their audiences and goals through improved usability and accessibility. Now integrated with the organization’s online marketing tools, the content management system (CMS) enables staff to easily update website copy and graphics to ensure consistent branding and constituent experiences across all channels.

“Our website is one of the most visible aspects of the Children’s Defense Fund brand,” said Heidi Hess, Director of Online Communications for CDF. “With valuable strategic guidance from key partners, we created a website that positions CDF to leverage this pivotal moment in American politics to make significant strides for children. Within only a few months, our results have far exceeded expectations.”

Since launching the new website in January of 2009, CDF has received positive feedback from website visitors. Their accolades have been supported by notable increases in other areas as well:

• Number of visits to CDF’s Facebook page have grown by 440 percent, year-over-year.
• The number of unique visitors that provide CDF their email address to learn more has grown by 350 percent.
• Rank for Google keyword phrases has improved significantly (from low or non-existent to top 5 on Google in most cases).

CDF selected Convio CMS to power their new website so that it could be integrated easily with their existing Convio Online Marketing setup. OmniStudio completely redesigned and developed CDF’s web assets, in partnership with RedEngine Digital, who integrated search engine optimization (SEO) and web analytics into the redesign process to achieve high search engine rank for top program issues.

“By conducting extensive research of CDF’s audiences, we were able to prioritize key utilities of the new website and focus on usability elements,” said Jim Jacobs, VP, Interactive for OmniStudio. “The new user experience of CDF’s redesigned website sets the organization apart from other nonprofits, and makes it an integral part of their online communication efforts.”

The site’s redesigned front-end is integrated with the Convio CMS, a full-featured content management system for organizations with advanced website needs and multiple content contributors. The software provides a web content platform that combines content types and content relationships and integrates with Convio’s email marketing, fundraising, advocacy and ecommerce platform also used by the organization. The Convio system is provided through the Software-as-a-Service model offering a highly-scalable system that is available to CDF’s staff anytime, anywhere with little to no capital expenditure.

Convio is hosting a complimentary webinar with CDF and OmniStudio discussing Integrating Your Mission with Your Website on Wednesday, June 17 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern. To join the event and learn how CDF attracted new website visitors and grew donations you can register at: www.convio.com/cdf-webinar

About Children’s Defense Fund
Well into their fourth decade, Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) is the foremost national proponent of policies and programs that provide children with the resources they need to succeed. CDF champions policies that will lift children out of poverty; protect them from abuse and neglect; and ensure their access to health care, quality education, and a moral and spiritual foundation. Learn more at www.childrensdefense.org.

For more information on Convio, visit www.convio.com
For more information on OmniStudio, visit www.omnistudio.com
For more information on RedEngine Digital, visit www.redenginedigital.com

Press Contact:
Karoline McLaughlin
Director, Corporate Communications
Convio, Inc.
kmclaughlin@convio.com
512-652-7865