Threatened by declining membership, rising costs, and operational inefficiencies, Lone Star Jeep Club called on Blacksmith Technology Company to transform its online experience.
ABOUT LONE STAR JEEP CLUB
The Lone Star Jeep Club (LSJC) is a vibrant community of Jeep enthusiasts based in Texas. Dedicated to promoting and supporting the off-roading community that spans across their state as well as Colorado, New Mexico, and Arkansas, the club has risen to prominence amongst Jeep enthusiasts in its 25 years of existence.
Founded with a shared passion for adventure, LSJC brings together those with a love for both off-roading and the iconic Jeep brand. They offer a welcoming environment for Jeep owners of all models and levels of experience, fostering a sense of community and shared enthusiasm for the Jeep lifestyle.
From off-road trail rides and rock crawling adventures to social gatherings and charity events, LSJC organizes a variety of events throughout the year. Members enjoy exploring the rugged terrain of Texas and beyond, pushing the limits of their vehicles while building lasting friendships.
THE CHALLENGE
Despite its long-standing popularity amongst the community, the club was experiencing a 20% annual decline in membership in addition to increasing technology expenses. Their existing platform lacked the necessary social media integration, hindering member communication, engagement, and the overall member experience.
Additionally, inefficient bulk purchasing of club merchandise led to an inventory surplus and added costs. The club faced a loss of local sponsors and significant administrative overhead in managing off-roading events. Overall, the outdated platform and operational inefficiencies prevented LSJC from breaking even for over five years, putting its future at risk as well as adversely affecting its charitable contributions.
THE SOLUTION
To address these factors, LSJC collaborated with The Blacksmith Technology Company to launch a comprehensive digital transformation. The first step was to transition from multiple platforms, which had previously incorporated vBulletin, Shopify, and WordPress, to a single, consolidated platform on Wix. This move provided the club with a sleeker, more visually appealing, and more functional website.
Featuring advanced event management capabilities, the new platform allows members to view events, receive automated email confirmations, RSVP, and check in, all while earning and tracking reward points along the way. Merchandise management was also streamlined through integration with Wix Store and Printify, which facilitated real-time product delivery and eliminated unnecessary inventory costs.
Finally, we integrated social media, enabling seamless event publication to Facebook, boosting engagement, and reducing administrative overhead. New features were introduced to enhance member and sponsor engagement, including member profiles, a forum for information exchange, easy sponsor payments, and added sponsor visibility.
KEY RESULTS
Cost Reduction: Lone Star Jeep Club’s overall technology expenses were reduced by 68.5%.
Membership Growth: The launch reversed the annual 20% decline in membership, powering a 5% increase. (YTD June 2024).
Social Media Engagement: By integrating the online community, the latest updates helped increase Facebook Group membership by 4% from January 2024—now reaching over 3.5K members.
Operational Efficiency: Even with significantly improved event communication, administrative time for event management was reduced by 75%.
Product Sales: With real-time availability of products now easily accessible on the website, sales have increased since the launch.
TESTIMONIALS
"Working with The Blacksmith Technology Company was a pleasure. Their small team was able to understand our unique non-profit club needs and deliver a customized web solution that reduced our expenses close to 70% and exceeded our expectations." –Jay Stevens, LSJC Web Director.
"The platform allowed us to roll out programs and help stop the decline in membership. Along with that growth, it made our sponsors gain confidence in the club, and we've been able to sign up additional sponsors. We couldn't be happier with the platform and the work Blacksmith Technology did in helping build it out." –Henry, LSJC Membership Chair.
LOOKING AHEAD
Our partnership with Lone Star Jeep Club successfully transformed its digital presence, ultimately leading to reduced costs, increased membership, enhanced social media presence, and improved overall operational efficiency. This transformation has not only helped secure the LSJC’s future, but also bolstered its ability to support important charitable causes. In consolidating digital platforms, growing member communication, and streamlining event management, LSJC has set a strong foundation for continued growth and success.
Comentários