Central Virginia Electric Cooperative

Overview

Powering Progress

Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (CVEC) has always prioritized reliable service and strong connections with its members. To better meet the needs of a growing digital audience, CVEC partnered with Powerful to refresh their website. Their goals were to encourage the use of online tools to reduce phone inquiries, design an intuitive platform for easy navigation, and keep content up-to-date. This collaboration aimed to create a website that seamlessly integrates modern functionality with CVEC’s commitment to serving its community, delivering an enhanced experience for members and staff alike.

Transforming PDFs into Online Tools

A key goal for CVEC was to reduce the volume of phone inquiries by enhancing the usability of online tools. One impactful solution was repurposing static PDFs into interactive web pages that adhered to Powerful’s STAR Standard—making them searchable, translatable, accessible, and responsive. For example, CVEC’s Membership Application process was transformed from a traditional PDF download to a seamless online form.

Previously, prospective members needed to download, print, and fill out the application. Now, they can complete the process directly on the website, eliminating unnecessary steps. On the backend, CVEC’s administrators benefit from streamlined application management, enabling them to process submissions more efficiently. This transformation bridges the gap between convenience for members and operational efficiency for CVEC. Visitors appreciate the ease of signing up, while staff can easily manage paperwork.

By converting PDFs into accessible and interactive web content, CVEC’s website has become a go-to resource for members. The streamlined processes save time and reduce frustration, ensuring that members can engage with CVEC effortlessly. Meanwhile, CVEC’s team now experiences fewer phone calls and smoother backend operations, creating a win-win scenario.

Intuitive Design Tailored to Member Needs

Intuitive design and easy navigation were essential components of the redesign. Since outages and billing are among the top reasons members visit CVEC’s website, Powerful prioritized these needs with a custom homepage layout. Prominent sections guide members directly to the Outage Center and Billing & Payment Center. Whether reporting an outage or managing payments, members can find what they need quickly.

The intuitive design doesn’t stop at the homepage. CVEC’s Payment Options page was transformed into a visualized layout. Billing and payment details, often overwhelming in text-heavy formats, are now presented in an engaging and digestible way. This visualization ensures that important information is clear and accessible, further reinforcing the intuitive experience for members.

By designing with members’ needs in mind, Powerful helped CVEC create a website that feels both accessible and tailored. The dedicated sections on the homepage and visualized Payment Options page make navigating the site straightforward and stress-free.