A faster, smarter way of searching and discovering
A central focus of the project was UHF's ancestry database. With more than two million records available to search, performance and usability were critical. Users needed to be able to search large volumes of genealogical information, refine results using a range of filters and quickly find records relevant to their family history.
Behind the scenes, this meant building an experience capable of handling complex searches across a sizeable dataset without making the website feel slow or cumbersome.
Membership was another major part of the brief. The website needed to support access to exclusive records, articles and member benefits, while integrating this seamlessly with the wider user experience. Alongside these core areas, the website also brings together several important revenue and engagement channels, including:
- A fully integrated online shop for books and genealogy resources
- Online membership registration and renewals
- Secure access to members-only content and benefits
- Integrated online donations
- Extensive historical and genealogical editorial content
The challenge was to bring all of these elements together within one coherent platform, while ensuring that searching millions of ancestry records remained fast, reliable and easy to use.
Another important consideration was providing the Ulster Historical Foundation team with a way in which to manage new and existing databases, and also a simple, time-efficient way to include original sources to many of the genealogical records available.
Heritage inspired design, built around users
When designing the experience, we focused heavily on making the large amounts of content and data feel easy to navigate. Clear pathways and signposting from the homepage help guide different audiences towards the content and services most relevant to them, while a responsive, accessible approach ensures the experience works seamlessly across devices.
Visually, we developed a design language that subtly reflects Ulster’s heritage while remaining contemporary, structured and easy to navigate. For the site’s databases, we created an intuitive filtering system that allows users to quickly condense large volumes of records and focus their research.
We also integrated eCommerce directly into the CMS, giving the UHF team a straightforward way to manage their shop’s products and orders alongside the rest of the website.
The result
We are delighted with the outcome of the new digital platform for the Ulster Historical Foundation, designed to make an enormous amount of information feel accessible, responsive and straightforward to explore.
Our work with UHF continues as we support them with the maintenance and growth of their new website, ensuring it continues to effectively perform for its visitors.