CHALLENGE
Develop a flexible, easy to use platform to provide small business owners around the world with the information they need to start, improve and grow their businesses. Deliver the platform to partners in developing countries and allow them to customize a core set of content in order to best serve their local audiences. Support 100+ separate websites that can share content and create translated, localized versions. Provide each site with the ability to have a unique visual appearance and the means to customize navigation and content.
SOLUTION
In 2002, Orsulak Design provided the International Finance Corporation with the initial visual design for the global website, SME Toolkit, as well as the interaction and visual design for a custom content management system (CMS). We collaborated with the IFC in developing the brand look, name and logotype and assisted their team with the product strategy, business rules and technical specs. We supplied continuous support during development of V1 of the software and delivered user acceptance testing upon completion. For V2 and V3, we provided the interaction and visual design and we developed the initial designs for V4 of the software.
Over the following 12 years, Orsulak Design delivered ongoing support to the IFC as the SME Toolkit program grew exponentially. We provided a full suite of services including site design, training, marketing, and the development of initiatives for advertising (Adwords), SEO, social media and advanced analytics. In addition, we developed a workshop program to teach small-businesses owners how to use the SME Toolkit to improve their businesses and conducted training sessions throughout the developing world.
RESULT
The SME Toolkit has been a huge global success as it now spans 43 countries throughout the world. The platform continues to add an average of five new sites each year and the content has been translated into 19 languages. The program has an annual budget in excess of $4 million and garners more than eight million visits per year.