The Enclave
at Eagle Trace
HOA Website
OVERVIEW
The Enclave at Eagle Trace Homeowners Association (HOA) wanted a custom website that had a secure portal for residents. Although there are several community website providers with ready-made templates, The Enclave at Eagle Trace HOA wanted a unique website that combined functionality and visual appeal. By leveraging a UI/UX design process, I created a fully-functional HOA website that met the needs of new and current Eagle Trace residents as well as HOA board members.
DISCOVER
What Makes a Good HOA Website?
The digital age offers a wealth of opportunities for HOA management, including online communications, community forums, and payment processing. In conducting competitive analyses, there are several HOA community website providers, including HOA Express and HOA Sites, that offer pre-made templates with built-in functionality. However, these sites offer limited customization opportunities and lack visual appeal, which was an important requirement for the Eagle Trace HOA. I determined that a community website provider was not an appropriate strategy for The Enclave at Eagle Trace and recommended a custom-built WordPress website with similar functionality and layout to Pinnacle HOA, Verdera HOA, and Ashburn Village HOA.
COMPETITOR ANALYSIS
User Research
HOA websites serve three main users: (1) Current Residents (2) New and Prospective Residents; (3) HOA Board Members. I conducted informal stakeholder interviews with a member from each user group to gain actionable insights. In addition, I researched key demographic information of Broomfield, CO and the Eagle Trace community. Based on these key insights and user research, I developed personas to reflect the three aforementioned users and help guide the design process.
USER PERSONAS
RESEARCH INSIGHTS
DEFINE
Information Architecture
HOA websites typically have a restricted access resident portal as well as a public facing portion that includes community information. I worked closely with the Eagle Trace HOA to develop information architecture and a site layout that met the needs of each user group.
SITE MAP
Functionality
HOA websites require a secure portal for residents. I outlined the registration process for new and current residents to gain a clear picture of the specific steps and stakeholders involved. Based on this, I selected the WP-Member plugin to streamline membership access for new users and site admins.
REGISTRATION APPROVAL PROCESS
DESIGN
Brand Development
While living in Washington, DC during the course of this project, I spent a considerable amount of time researching Broomfield and the surrounding communities to get inspiration. The Enclave at Eagle Trace community is comprised of 80 beautiful and well maintained single family, custom and semi-custom, homes. Located in Broomfield, Colorado, Eagle Trace residents enjoy being in the serenity of old town America. Broomfield is a higher-income community that offers generous open space, parks and natural areas. For the design, I used the logo from their neighborhood entrance sign and used imagery and visual elements that reflected the community of Broomfield, Colorado.
Website
I designed the HOA public facing website and secured resident portal using The Enclave at Eagle Trace branding. I designed sketches and wireframes first and then researched WordPress themes to meet the layout and functionality needs. After selecting Enfold, I built the website on WordPress and integrated the WP Members and CM Answers Pro plugins.
SKETCHES
WIREFRAMES
FINAL
REFINE & DELIVER
After building the website, I conducted user testing with the HOA board in order to refine the registration process, community forum, and HOA blog. I worked to ensure that relevant stakeholders received the appropriate communications and notifications throughout the registration process. In addition, I ensured that the HOA board could moderate the community forum appropriately. After completing the website, I created a user manual, provided training, and transferred ownership to the HOA Board.
