Your website is the most important tool for promoting your CSA. Customer satisfaction is heavily reliant on easy website navigation and account management. When you set up your Farmigo system, a Farmigo Technical Advisor will provide you with three separate links that give individuals full access to sign-up, manage their account, and pay their balance. Additionally, if you have chosen to sell items in your webstore, you will also be provided with a direct link to this site. Integrating these links into your farm website is a crucial step in recruiting new members, as well as keeping existing members happy.
This week’s tip will give you some ideas for creating a seamless connection between your Farmigo system and your farm website.
This week’s tip will give you some ideas for creating a seamless connection between your Farmigo system and your farm website.
How to Link Your Farmigo System to Your Website
The methods by which you can integrate hyperlinks into your website will vary by website software. (Please note that these links will not work if they are embedded in frames, such as iframes.) The most common technique is to tie a link to a specific image or body of text which provides a brief description of where that link will take the individual. For example, when creating a button for your Sign-Up link, consider verbiage such as “Join our CSA!” or “Become a member now!” Below are some examples from farms that have set up eye-catching homepages.
The methods by which you can integrate hyperlinks into your website will vary by website software. (Please note that these links will not work if they are embedded in frames, such as iframes.) The most common technique is to tie a link to a specific image or body of text which provides a brief description of where that link will take the individual. For example, when creating a button for your Sign-Up link, consider verbiage such as “Join our CSA!” or “Become a member now!” Below are some examples from farms that have set up eye-catching homepages.
1. Sign Up Link
This link brings individuals directly to your sign-up wizard where they can immediately pick a location, share, option, and pay.
This link brings individuals directly to your sign-up wizard where they can immediately pick a location, share, option, and pay.
2. Account Link
Once a person has already joined your CSA, this link allows them to directly access their account. They can check their balance, make a payment, and adjust their subscription. Buttons should read something like, “Manage your account” or “Members.”
Once a person has already joined your CSA, this link allows them to directly access their account. They can check their balance, make a payment, and adjust their subscription. Buttons should read something like, “Manage your account” or “Members.”
3. Payment Link
Farmigo provides producers with this link as an easy means to request payment from a member. It is not necessary to include it on your homepage, as members can easily pay from their account link by clicking on “Make Payment.” This is a helpful link if you ask your members to frequently put money on account with you in order to cover future deliveries, such as farm credit.
Farmigo provides producers with this link as an easy means to request payment from a member. It is not necessary to include it on your homepage, as members can easily pay from their account link by clicking on “Make Payment.” This is a helpful link if you ask your members to frequently put money on account with you in order to cover future deliveries, such as farm credit.
4. Webstore
The webstore link allows members to purchase one-time items unattached to their subscription. The webstore is a great opportunity to upsell to your members, and is especially valuable if you allow non-members to place orders in your webstore. If you do not have this feature, and are interested in setting it up, ask a Farmigo Technical Advisor about setting up guest store access!
The webstore link allows members to purchase one-time items unattached to their subscription. The webstore is a great opportunity to upsell to your members, and is especially valuable if you allow non-members to place orders in your webstore. If you do not have this feature, and are interested in setting it up, ask a Farmigo Technical Advisor about setting up guest store access!
Tips for Website Design
When designing the layout of your website, there are some key elements that you should consider.
1. Placement
Research consistently shows that visitors don’t read web pages, they scan - usually looking for bold, emphasized text or lists. Use that last sentence as an example - did you read the full thing, or just pick up “don’t read” and “scan”? Make sure you take extra time to consider the areas of your website that draw the visitor’s eyes. The best practices include using contrasting colors, bold fonts, and enticing photographs. The links to your CSA sign ups should be prominently placed on your homepage so all visitors will see them. Review the above pictures of farm homepages for examples.
2. Visual Appeal
Photography is a powerful tool in advertising. Even if Shakespeare himself wrote an eloquent sonnet describing the contents of your CSA share, people will still be more likely to sign up if it’s accompanied by a pretty picture. Be sure to take this into consideration when designing your website!
When designing the layout of your website, there are some key elements that you should consider.
1. Placement
Research consistently shows that visitors don’t read web pages, they scan - usually looking for bold, emphasized text or lists. Use that last sentence as an example - did you read the full thing, or just pick up “don’t read” and “scan”? Make sure you take extra time to consider the areas of your website that draw the visitor’s eyes. The best practices include using contrasting colors, bold fonts, and enticing photographs. The links to your CSA sign ups should be prominently placed on your homepage so all visitors will see them. Review the above pictures of farm homepages for examples.
2. Visual Appeal
Photography is a powerful tool in advertising. Even if Shakespeare himself wrote an eloquent sonnet describing the contents of your CSA share, people will still be more likely to sign up if it’s accompanied by a pretty picture. Be sure to take this into consideration when designing your website!
Happy designing everyone!
Thank you to Willie Green’s Organic Farm, Terra Firma Farm, Helsing Junction Farm, Talley Farms Fresh Harvest, Suzie’s Farm, and Real Food Farms for allowing us to feature their web sites in this post.
Credits:
Web Designs by LAO -- Willie Green’s Organic Farm
Laura Bowly Design -- Terra Firma Farm
The Helix Group -- Helsing Junction Farm
Talley Farms
Suzie’s Farm
Green Pond Creative -- Real Food Farms
Thank you to Willie Green’s Organic Farm, Terra Firma Farm, Helsing Junction Farm, Talley Farms Fresh Harvest, Suzie’s Farm, and Real Food Farms for allowing us to feature their web sites in this post.
Credits:
Web Designs by LAO -- Willie Green’s Organic Farm
Laura Bowly Design -- Terra Firma Farm
The Helix Group -- Helsing Junction Farm
Talley Farms
Suzie’s Farm
Green Pond Creative -- Real Food Farms