Website Redesign & Development Proposal for The Swannanoa Gathering
Submitted to:
Kimberly Ann Clark, Operations Manager
The Swannanoa Gathering
Warren Wilson College
Submitted by:
Jeffrey A. Brown | Owner | Web Asheville
Date: July 30th, 2025
Introduction
We are pleased to submit our proposal for the design and development of a new website for The Swannanoa Gathering, a premier summer folk music program at Warren Wilson College. We recognize the unique role your program plays in preserving folk music traditions and fostering an inclusive community of artists, students, and supporters.
Our team specializes in WordPress development and design. We are confident we can deliver a modern, responsive, and accessible website that embodies the spirit of The Swannanoa Gathering while meeting the functional and strategic objectives outlined in the RFP.
About Web Asheville
Our team is composed of experienced professionals who bring together expertise in:
- Branding & Design: Custom graphics and storytelling-focused visuals.
- WordPress Development: Building secure, scalable, and easy-to-manage platforms.
- User Experience (UX): Creating intuitive navigation.
- Project Management: Ensuring milestones and deadlines are met efficiently.
Understanding of The Swannanoa Gathering
The Swannanoa Gathering brings together musicians and students from around the world for week-long sessions of music, dance, and fellowship. Your program thrives on tradition and community, while also seeking to expand your audience, especially among families and participants under age 45.
We understand your current challenges:
- Outdated design and navigation
- Poor mobile responsiveness
- Dense editorial content
- Limited multimedia support
- Lack of seamless self-service and registration processes
Our proposed solution directly addresses these challenges while achieving the program’s goals of outreach, engagement, and sustainability.
Project Objectives
- Enhance Community Engagement – Build connections among current, returning, and new participants.
- Streamline User Experience – Simplify registration, payments, and access to program information.
- Integrate with Warren Wilson College – Align branding while maintaining The Swannanoa Gathering’s unique identity.
- Deliver Rich Multimedia Content – Showcase performances, faculty, and community through video, photo, and storytelling features.
- Support Donations & Engagement – Clear calls to action for financial support and community involvement.
Project Scope
Technical Foundation
- Platform: WordPress with a responsive, accessible, and mobile-first design.
- Accessibility: WCAG compliance and dark mode support.
- Performance: SEO optimization and fast-loading pages.
- Templates: 5–10 customizable templates for events, classes, faculty, news, and multimedia.
- Admin Interface: Drag-and-drop builder and shortcodes for easy updates.
Content Management
- Streamlined navigation with advanced search.
- Smart FAQ system.
- News & announcements functionality.
- Flexible content blocks for testimonials, videos, and featured stories.
User Experience Features
- Contact forms with categorization (e.g., donors, volunteers).
- Mailing list signup.
- Analytics for tracking visitor-to-registration conversions.
- Social media integration.
Design Standards
- Fresh, modern, and accessible design aesthetic.
- Visual identity reflecting folk music heritage while appealing to younger demographics.
- Complementary to Warren Wilson College branding, while distinct.
Timeline & Milestones
Target Launch: October 2025
- August 15, 2025: Design & functionality email briefing
- September 1, 2025: Initial visual design comps review
- October 1, 2025: Functional site review
- October 7, 2025: Deadline for design/function revision requests
- October 15, 2025: Second review for quality assurance (forms & registration system)
- October 20, 2025: Second round of revisions (if needed)
- October 30, 2025: Soft launch for beta testing
- November 5, 2025: Official launch
Deliverables
- Fully functional, SEO-optimized WordPress website
- Custom templates and design assets
- Accessibility and mobile-optimized experience
- Ongoing support options
Support & Maintenance Options
- Hourly Support: Available for additional content updates, troubleshooting, or enhancements post-launch.
- Monthly Maintenance Plan: Covers security updates, backups, and performance monitoring.
References
- Elizabeth Stavish, MBA – Fox Mountain Guides – Office@foxmountainguides.com – 919-428-3017
- Janna Lemur – Keynote Speaker – info@jannalemur.com – 561-517-3774
- Susan Devitt – Graphic Artist – susanbellolea@gmail.com – 828-989-7270
Relevant Case Studies & Design Examples
- The Farm Trader – www.thefarmtrader.com – Full website design and development for a complex ecommerce website.
- Fox Mountain Guides – www.foxmountainguides.com – Website design and development for an Asheville-based climbing guide and school.
- The Ascot Club – www.ascotclub.net – Full website design and development for a Waynesville, NC based mountain home development.
Cost Breakdown (Preliminary Estimate)
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Website Design | Included |
| WordPress Development | Included |
| Accessibility & Mobile Optimization | Included |
| Content Migration & Setup | Included |
| Basic SEO Setup | Included |
| Analytics Implementation | Included |
| Total | $8,775.00 |
Summary
This proposal outlines our comprehensive approach to redesigning and developing a new website for The Swannanoa Gathering. Our solution is rooted in storytelling, accessibility, and user-friendly design, ensuring that your community feels welcomed and engaged while driving new registrations and support.
We are honored by the opportunity to collaborate with you and look forward to bringing your vision to life.
