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American Business Media
Site: http://www.americanbusinessmedia.com
 Situation: ABM’s web site had been built with proprietary technology by a company that was going out of business. Although the association wanted to enhance its web presence during the next year to highlight a greater focus on the Internet, it did not have the time or resources to deal with the problem on the schedule dictated by their former Internet partner.
GCN’s Enhancement: Our first goal was to stabilize ABM’s web presence, and then improve it.
First, We researched the proprietary technology used to build and host ABM’s site, and licensed a copy of the server software even though the company that originally built the software had long gone out of business. We then brought in freelance consultants from ABM’s former Internet partner to help us move the site to our hosting facility in its existing condition using its existing technology. After nearly two months of careful reconstruction, we switched hosting of ABM’s site from its old Internet partner to GCN servers.
With the site stabilized, our design team set to work developing an updated look-and-feel for the site. Working closely with ABM CEO Gordon Hughes, GCN developed a new look that embraced the association’s print membership while welcoming a new contingent of online publishers. Our development team carefully analyzed the existing site and rebuilt applications using industry-standard, open-source components so that ABM would never again be locked into using proprietary, or out-of-date technology. We also added new applications to the site that allow members to update their own information and more thoroughly promote their involvement in the association.
Result: ABM’s membership has surged, in part because of a more useful and user-friendly web presence, and traffic on the organization’s site is up. ABM’s Web site has garnered the 2000 Standard of Excellence WebAward from the Web Marketing Association.
Customer Testimonial: “It is remarkable what GCN has accomplished for ABM in the past eight months. They have totally transformed our web site into a state-of-the-art site for any company, but remarkable for a trade association." —Gordon T. Hughes, President & CEO, American Business Media
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