Project type: Custom web application, a community resource-sharing platform
Timeline: First build took around 16 weeks, with an additional two weeks for the version 2 relaunch.
Tech used: Custom PHP web application, React
Key result: Grew membership from zero with version 1 and registrations more than doubled since the version 2 relaunch
Challenge
Before Lumi, sharing equipment, skills or venue space between community groups in Norwich relied on knowing the right person, or asking the council for a recommendation. There was no easy way to see what was out there.
Lumi launched in 2017 to fix that, giving charities, community groups and residents one place to list and find things worth sharing, from garden tools to venue hire. It supported local projects like the 100 Day Challenge and proved especially useful during the 2020-21 pandemic.
Theplan
Version 1 had proved there was a demand for LUMi and it was mostly working, so there was investment set aside for improvements.
Rather than guess, Norwich City Council and Bigfork worked with an independent testing team to properly check the site. The results were clear: many people didn't fully understand what LUMi did or who it was for unless they had previous experience. The journey through the site wasn't obvious, and the sign up process was putting people off.
With clear findings to work from, the redesign took around two weeks.
Theproduct
Lumi's users aren't typically tech-savvy, and most of the content comes from them rather than the council, so both of those shaped the product.
The site explains clearly what Lumi is and who it's for, and a Get Involved page walks people through how to use it. Signing up and listing an item are made simple and the site is built to modern WCAG accessibility standards, so it works well for everyone. It's also optimised for mobile-first, as most users are using phones rather than computers.
Behind the scenes, the platform strikes a careful balance: easy enough for anyone to list something, but with a light-touch review process so nothing inappropriate slips through, without turning moderation into a full-time job for council staff.
Results
While version 1 was a success in its own right, since the version 2 relaunch, member registrations have doubled, and Lumi continues to support Norwich's reputation as a sharing city.
Bigfork have created a modern, welcoming, and user-friendly platform. Thanks to Bigfork, LUMi continues to grow and continues to have a positive impact on our communities.
Emma Penfold, Community Enabling Officer, Norwich City Council
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If you need a platform driven by user generated content, projects like this typically start from £25,000 to £30,000. You'll get a dedicated project manager, plain-English updates, and no confusing lock-in contracts. Find out more about how we approach custom web development.
Call Mark Ellaway on 01603 513080 or email mark@bigfork.co.uk to discuss your project.
Bigfork have created a modern, welcoming, and user-friendly platform. Thanks to Bigfork, LUMi continues to grow and continues to have a positive impact on our communities.
