Ecotrail

new digital platform

The concept of EcoTrail® is a genuine eco-responsible nature race, set in urban environments, highlighting the natural and cultural heritage of the regions. EcoTrail races strive for environmental conservation and the promotion of outdoor sports in general, with a particular focus on trail running.

challenges:

After 9 months of stagnation with an initial service provider, ECOTRAIL International turned to Gardeners (formerly Net Design) with a massive challenge: completely overhaul the organization’s digital platform, integrating automatic generation of franchised sites internationally (across all regions and languages). All of this had to be accomplished in record time, in just a few months.

Solutions:

Accelerated the design process through our design thinking and agile methods.
Provided incredible artistic direction, blending aesthetics and dynamism.
Web design, development, and SEO followed at an incredible pace.
Technically, it involved a complex development based on Drupal + a “site farm” to generate franchised Ecotrail sites internationally infinitely.

Results:

Successful outcome: sites delivered on time, within just 4 months.
Budget was respected for an ambitious creation.

starting from scratch!

The specifications provided by the previous provider raise more questions than answers and seem to put the Ecotrail and Gardeners teams in discomfort.

Our proposal: start from a blank slate. But not just any way, starting from user needs and with the power of co-design methods (features, prioritization, modeling, test & learn).

The idea is appealing and effective: new specifications, new needs, new objectives, everything is redesigned for the future online platform.

ideas are flowing:

As soon as the project starts, an Ecotrail / Gardeners project team is formed. The boundary between supplier and client is abolished; we don’t work “for each other” but together, and that’s what makes the project powerful.

the key to success?

The co-design method allows us to define both the needs and the expected functionalities as accurately as possible.

Results: a colossal time-saving, exceptional involvement from both sides, adherence to the budget, and meeting the deadlines.

user interviews:

We meet with website users to understand their needs. Their input will be valuable and sometimes surprising, like that of professional trail runner Yoann Stuck, who got involved and shared his requirements with us. With his knowledge of the sport, trail experience, and familiarity with existing trail websites, his insights guide the design of the brand’s future site.

testimonials:

“Big challenge, great adventure, that’s for sure. Thank you and especially congratulations to all those who worked on the project. Our level of satisfaction and excitement is directly proportional to the quality of your work: high.”

Romain PIAU, Events Director, Ecotrail

“A lot of sweat, energy spent in recent months to make this EcoTrail website project come to life! It’s finally online! It’s always a special moment to see the work of weeks and ideas sometimes launched several years ago materialize, and I wanted to thank you (you and your teams) for your involvement, your advice, and your professionalism on the project. Superb quality and a result that was worth it! EcoTrail Yours Truly”

Jean-Charles Perrin, CEO, Ecotrail / Run For You