The Importance of Your Union Website

It's hard to imagine a successful business or organization without an online presence in today’s technological landscape. Unions and organizations as a whole are investing more in building and maintaining websites, not just to market their products but also to build loyalty and make information easy to access. But how does a website contribute to these vital aspects? 

A Face for the Union

Websites have become a necessity for almost every public entity, unions included. Why? Because they serve as a key interaction point with members and potential members.

According to a study by Sweor, it takes about 50 milliseconds for users to form an opinion about your website (and consequently, your union) once the webpage loads¹. A well-designed website gives members an instant idea of what a union is about, what they offer, and how they help their members.

Enhancing Member Solidarity

Another often overlooked benefit of having a website for your union is strengthened member solidarity. Here's how a website plays a role in that:

1. Centralized Information Hub: A union’s website serves as a centralized information hub where members can access all the information they need. Key points of information that help enhance communication and foster a sense of belonging frequently include:
     - Union news – including breaking news around strikes, as seen by UAW
     - Upcoming meetings
     - Contract negotiation updates
     - Benefit information
     - Leadership information a
     - And more 
2. Leadership Background: Showing leadership and highlighting their background helps members better connect with their union and see who represents their interests and well-being.
3. Celebrating Achievements: Member achievements and milestones can be celebrated through a union’s internal website. This recognizes individual efforts and strengthens the sense of community, motivating others to strive for excellence.
   
   

Transparency and Trust Building

Unions that maintain transparent operations through their websites often earn higher levels of trust from members.

They can create a more unified and dedicated workforce by offering insights into the processes, values, and culture. A transparent environment allows workers and members to see the bigger picture, aligning their goals with the union’s and working together as a cohesive unit.

Importance of Design

Creating a well-designed website that represents your union well, is easy to navigate, and presents information in a simple way is no easy feat. It takes someone with experience and can be very expensive when using outside help. 

However, it is important to have a website that meets these requirements. Surveys show that 57% of people wouldn’t recommend a business with a poorly designed mobile website ¹. Since websites hold such great potential to be a unifier for unions and information source for members, losing word-of-mouth referrals will limit the effect it can have.

The most important aspect of your website may be its functionality and design on mobile devices. Research shows that over 50% of North American web traffic comes from mobile devices², skewing even higher when looking at younger workers just entering the workforce. The percentage of traffic that comes from mobile devices is also continually growing, nearly doubling from 2015 to early 2023³. Failing to provide a site that works for mobile users will leave a large chunk of members unreached.

Closing Thoughts

In a world where online presence is a necessity, websites have outgrown the role of only being a marketing tool. They have become platforms for reaching audiences, making information accessible, and creating a unified union.

Websites are now the digital heart of a union, bringing life to new areas previously untapped. They not only create opportunities for growth and expansion but also foster a sense of unity among members. Through effective communication and collaboration, a union’s website can become a powerful tool for building a strong, cohesive, and committed membership.

The benefits of a well-structured website go beyond aesthetics and functionality. It's a critical investment that impacts a union’s image, reach, and inner workings. Today, it’s not just a question of having a website but how you’ll use it to unite your members.  

Does your union need help creating or redesigning a website? The new Member Resources Member Engagement System has you covered with well-designed templates to choose from that will modernize your union’s digital presence and help reach members better.

Visit our website to learn all about it.

¹ 27 Eye-Opening Website Statistics: Is Your Website Costing You Clients?  from Sweor
² Top Website Statistics For 2023 by Kathy Hahn
³ Percentage of mobile device website traffic worldwide from 1st quarter 2015 to 4th quarter 2022 from Statista

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