netXtra has launched the new Equity website www.equity.org.uk – the online portal of the trade union for professional performers and creative practitioners within the U.K.

“We at Equity knew what we wanted from the new website and how we could improve on what we had.  Appointing the right company to develop the site was imperative,” said Phil Pemberton,  Campaigns & Publications Officer, in a statement.

Phil said that with an impressive previous client list, netXtra convinced the company that they could provide what it needed. 

He said that the netXtra project team has been great to work with and the new site is a vast improvement on its predecessor.

Officials with netXtra said that Equity’s immediate strategic requirements were to encourage new members to join them, to retain and communicate more effectively with existing members, and to make the overall online experience more useful and rewarding.

Company officials said that netXtra achieved this by integrating the new website with Equity’s Microsoft (News - Alert) Dynamics CRM system and by providing intuitive modules which cleanse the member’s data upon registration; whilst incorporating seamless processes such as postcode checks and bank detail security validation.

Thanks to this, members would now be able to manage and update their own profiles, renewals and information preferences, significantly cutting Equity’s administration overheads.

According to company officials, another feature of the website comes in the form of “talking heads” videos on the homepage. This gives prospective members first-hand advice and experience of the true benefits of Equity membership through real life experiences from prominent and influential existing Equity members and performers.

Additionally a redesign to the online integrated “Membership Directory’’ also makes life easier for members and talent agencies alike. It provides the facility to search a selection of Equity members by name, by their physical appearance, and by skill sets, in order to match the performer to the part.