Case Study
48IN48
About the Client and Project
In 2015, an extraordinary event took place at General Assembly in Atlanta, Georgia. Over 150 digital marketing professionals gathered for a mission: to build 48 free custom websites for 48 nonprofits in only 48 hours. It was an ambitious undertaking that required teamwork, dedication, and expertise.
The event was a whirlwind of creativity, with teams of developers, designers, UX experts, and writers collaborating to bring each nonprofit’s story to life. At the end, each nonprofit received their new website and the tools to go live and make a difference.Jeff Hilimire of Purpose Group and his slightly shorter friend, Adam Walker of Edgewise.Media, are the founders of 48in48. Together with their deep background in digital marketing and passion for helping nonprofits, they founded 48in48 in 2015 with the vision to give people the opportunity to use their superpowers to help change the world. They knew the importance of impactful websites for nonprofits at no cost.
Project Duration
Underway 11+ Months
As per Requirements
Background and Strategic fit
48in48 is a nonprofit organization that provides free, professional websites to other nonprofits, helping them improve their digital presence. By organizing events where volunteers—such as developers, designers, and project managers—come together to build websites in just 48 hours, 48in48 empowers nonprofits, especially smaller ones, to enhance their outreach and capacity to serve their communities. The initiative strategically aligns with the goals of nonprofits needing affordable digital solutions and tech professionals eager to give back through their skills. It fosters collaboration, skill-building, and strengthens the ecosystem of both the nonprofit and tech sectors.
Challenges faced by 48IN48 :
- While 48in48 relies on volunteers, ensuring a steady stream of skilled professionals—like developers, designers, and project managers—can be difficult, especially for events in new or less-known locations.
- Many nonprofits may have high expectations for their websites, but their limited technical knowledge or unclear goals can make it challenging to meet their needs within the 48-hour timeframe.
- As a nonprofit organization, 48in48 operates with limited financial resources, which may impact their ability to scale their operations or expand to more cities. Securing consistent funding and sponsorships is essential
- While 48in48 aims to create high-quality websites quickly, technical limitations or tight deadlines can make it challenging to deliver fully customized websites or ensure long-term scalability without further development.
- After delivering the websites, 48in48 must ensure that nonprofits can maintain and update them effectively, which requires providing training and resources for ongoing website management.
48in48 called on Devinlabs to address key challenges, enhance the platform’s functionality, and improve the overall user experience. The project aimed to streamline the website creation process for nonprofits, boost volunteer engagement, and ensure seamless collaboration during events. By optimizing workflows and improving usability, the goal was to drive efficiency, increase impact, and solidify 48in48’s position as a leader in empowering nonprofits with professional websites, ultimately supporting their digital growth and community outreach.
Services Offered
Free Website Development
Provides nonprofits with free, professional websites created by volunteers during 48-hour events.
Web Design & Development
Custom websites designed and developed to meet the specific needs of each nonprofit.
Volunteer Collaboration Events
Organizes events where professionals volunteer to build websites for multiple nonprofits simultaneously.
Training & Resources
Offers training and resources to help nonprofits maintain and update their websites.
Technical Support
Provides ongoing technical support to ensure websites continue to meet nonprofits' needs.
Challanges
01
Volunteer Availability
- Recruiting and retaining skilled volunteers for events can be challenging, especially in new locations or when demand is high.
02
Tight Timelines
- The 48-hour timeframe for building websites can be difficult to manage, as it requires efficient collaboration and quick decision-making.
03
Varied Nonprofit Needs
Nonprofits have different requirements and expectations, making it challenging to customize websites within the limited time while ensuring high quality.
04
Limited Resources & Funding
- Operating as a nonprofit with limited financial resources can restrict expansion opportunities, event organization, and scaling the impact.
05
Post-Launch Support
- Ensuring that nonprofits can effectively manage and maintain their websites after launch requires additional support and training, which can be resource-intensive.
Courier API Integration
User Flow
User Flow in website design refers to the sequence of steps a user takes to accomplish a task or reach a goal. It involves guiding users seamlessly through various pages and interactions to ensure a smooth and intuitive experience. By optimizing user flow, designers enhance usability and increase user engagement on the website.
Optimizing UX: Crafting a Research Plan
Crafting an effective research plan for optimizing user experience involves defining clear objectives, selecting appropriate methodologies, and gathering relevant data. By meticulously planning each step, designers can gain valuable insights into user behavior and preferences, informing iterative improvements to the product. A well-executed research plan is instrumental in creating user-centric designs that resonate with the target audience.
Design System & Style
We developed a design system to enhance consistency and streamline the client’s workflow, saving time during feature development. This initiative aims to elevate the website’s overall process and user experience, ensuring efficiency and cohesion across all aspects of design and implementation.
Demos And Pages
Focusing on challenges often enhances the creativity and efficiency within 48in48, preserving its impactful and collaborative spirit. As a result, the team is made up of dedicated volunteers who are not only highly skilled and experienced but also thrive on innovation and problem-solving, driven by the unique needs and constraints of each nonprofit they support.
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