Product Design - MyGO Project Crowdfunding Platform

I worked as the product and account manager on a team of five, creating a bespoke crowdfunding platform for The Global Orphan Project. We developed a tightly integrated custom theme and custom plugin running on WordPress for maximum cost efficiency and security. The platform generated a 1121% ROI over five years.

Situation

The Global Orphan Project (GOProject) needed a bespoke crowdfunding platform to support its international service initiatives of building self-sustaining communities to feed, house, and educate orphans. As a not-for-profit organization, GOProject faced budget constraints and limited technological expertise. They approached Voltage Creative, a digital agency with a long-standing relationship, to help bring their vision to life.

Tasks & Goals

The primary task was to develop a crowdfunding platform that met the specific needs of GOProject, balancing functionality with budgetary limitations.

1. Define Requirements: Work with stakeholders to discover and outline requirements for essential features versus optional ones to establish a minimum viable product (MVP).
2. Define Sub-Brand Integration: Create a cohesive design language and style guide that aligns with GOProject's existing branding while developing a sub-brand called "MyGO."
3. Development: Build, deploy, and support a platform using modified off-the-shelf CMS software and custom WordPress plugins to ensure necessary functionalities, including user account creation, event management, and secure payment processing.
4. Meet the timeline: 12 months.
5. Meet the budget budget: Under $75,000

Action

Collaborative Requirement Gathering

Leveraging the trust and rapport between GOProject and Voltage Creative, we conducted workshops to identify and prioritize features. We created a clear roadmap for the project's progress.

Proof of Concept Development

The team quickly developed proofs of concept using customized WordPress plugins in PHP. This approach minimized risks associated with third-party software and provided the necessary security for sensitive financial transactions.

Design and Branding

Working closely with GOProject, we modified their established brand guidelines, creating the MyGO sub-brand. The design process was iterative, allowing for real-time feedback and adjustments, which resulted in a user-friendly interface seamlessly integrated into the existing GOProject web presence.

Development

We created the custom MyGO WordPress theme and plugin for the WordPress platform with a team of three developers. The plugin utilized the Authorize.net API for payment processing.

Deployment and Training

We did a soft launch internally alongside site administration training for GOProject staff. Once satisfied with the results, we launched it alongside an integrated marketing campaign.

Continuous Communication

Regular check-ins and updates ensured alignment with GOProject's vision, allowing for agile responses to any emerging challenges or changes in direction.

Results

The MyGO crowdfunding platform launched on-time and on-budget in 2013. A twelve-month post-launch audit indicated a 299% return on investment (ROI.) A five-year audit indicated a 1121% ROI. The platform expanded the GOProject's fundraising capabilities, increased donor engagement, and expanded global outreach efforts. The successful collaboration strengthened the long-term relationship between The Global Orphan Project and Voltage Creative, paving the way for future successes.

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My Role

Product Management, Account Management

Timeline

Nine Months

Skills

• User Experience Design
• Product Design
• User Research
• Requirements Gathering
• Proposal Development
• Technical Documentation
• Systems Design
• Wireframing
• Web Design
• Web Development
• Technical Training
• Branding

Tooling

• Adobe Creative Suite
• WordPress
• Authorize.net API
• LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP)
• HTML, CSS, Javascript

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