I am 61, computer illiterate, and ultra-picky when it comes to design and consistency. My…read morenon-profit healthcare activism organization desperately needed a website that looked professional and engaging, was easy to navigate in, and would reflect our top following on social media. Having NO money, I Googled "website design for non-profits" and Firespring popped up.
First, their OWN website looked great. Their text was clear and well-written and I figured it was worth signing up for the free demo.
I was blown away. The use of imagery, page layout, variety of content - all of it was above and beyond my expectations and the amateurish sites we'd had before. The only thing giving me pause was the cost. The $90 monthly fee would have to come out of my pocket.
But we couldn't really reach people who weren't into social media without a website and it was urgent that as many people as possible have a source they could go to for factual, up-to-date information and action alerts, as well as other resources. So what if I didn't eat for a week? LOL
I won't lie. It was NOT easy. The way pages are populated is clunky and way too redundant with multiple clicking and, for me, too many steps in the process that if one is forgotten could screw the page up. Vast improvements have obviously been made since the other review from 2012 since I don't even know what html is (I thought it was an abbreviation for "hotmail") and there IS a photo editor. Anyway, I started in the middle of August and the site went live on November 1. BUT, the one reason I will always recommend Firespring is the PEOPLE.
From Zach, the first person I spoke with, to Megan, my project manager, to Tania Marie, webinar teacher and support lifeline, I felt valued, respected, and supported. Whenever I needed help (a LOT), all I had to do was call and either Megan or Tania Marie would spend as much time as they needed to walk me through things or just pull me back from the edge! Though they certainly had good reason to, I never felt like they rolled their eyes and made fun of me in the break room. Never a hint of judgement or snark in their voices, no impatience or frustration with my ignorance.
It's a rare, almost extinct, thing to find a business to whom "customer service" means THEIR service to the customer, not the other way around. Firespring is that rare bird. Bottom line - DUH now has a website it can be proud of, it's worth every penny, and if I'm ever in Lincoln, Nebraska, I'm going to thank them in person!