First year of Cudeca’s web

News 09 Mar 2010

First year of Cudeca’s web

2009 was the first full year of operation for the new Cudeca web site and proved successful in a number of ways. The visitor numbers went from 1500 in January to 4500 in December, with a total of almost 40,000 "hits" during the whole year. Particularly successful in encouraging visitors were the campaigns featuring videos of stars such as Melanie Griffiths and Antonio Banderas, while the display of photographs from the Walkathon and advertising of (and bidding for) items in the TRE Telethon also proved a big draw.
 
The number of benefactors increased as a direct result of web-based campaigns and income of €15000 p.a. resulted. The online shop was used primarily for advertising, as large-scale mailing of goods is not logistically possible at present, also it is used as a method of showcasing special sale items that are too large or expensive to be put in a shop. The shop does, however, provide a method to allow online donations via credit card and these amounted to €5800 during the year. This was boosted by an additional €2702 won in a web site competition.
 
The web site is supported by Alejandro Hiniesta Gómez with assistance from the volunteer John Steele, and their work was rewarded by the site winning the 10º Premios Cibersur a las Mejores Webs Andaluzas award from Cibersur.
 
Other developments have seen Cudeca represented by a supporters´page on FaceBook, the use of Twitter to try to attract the attention of a younger generation of potential helpers and the implementation of electronic newsletters and bulletins to reduce mailing costs.
 
In 2010, it is planned to enhance the web site by incorporating much more data relating to homecare and counselling - this to be achieved graphically using Google Maps. The potential for selling advertising space will be investigated, as will the use of eBay as a method of selling special items. It is planned to start a regular BLOG outlining what is happening in the various Cudeca departments and finally, the support team will look at creating a simple way for supporters to make payments for events such as the Walkathon and Light a Light.