WEBSITE: “behind the scenes” with Baudouin
The new TSM website will not be a simple update, but a deeper redesign. This is necessary in light of the “many changes and developments of recent years in our museums, such as the full opening to the public of the archaeological museum this year,” as explained by Baudouin Duchange, in charge of the website redesign, as well as the implementation of the new ticketing system and the collections portal.
The primary objective is to have a clear message adapted to all our online audiences, in their diversity: past or future visitors, international or local, sponsors, teachers and students, journalists, mediators, tourism agencies, etc. “Everyone goes through the website; this is where the museum experience begins today.” Visitor habits are clear: since covid, the average number of museum tickets sold online has exceeded physical sales. Yet a paradox remains: users spend on average less than three minutes on a museum website. “That is why each page must be as direct as possible.”
One museum fully opened, the other still under construction for several years… there is sometimes confusion for people about our museums. The future website should help them better understand and identify our different faces. “We want to clearly show that we are an institution structured as a network of museums, and the first network of Christian museums in Jerusalem.” This is one of the essential components of the Terra Sancta Museum, and great attention has been paid to the structure of the future homepage.
Another essential point: the collections. More precisely, the unique link they maintain with 800 years of Franciscan presence in the Holy Land, alongside resident and international pilgrims. “The Terra Sancta Museum is much more than a museum: it is a new way for the Franciscans to transmit this shared history, particularly to young Palestinians and Israelis, and to continue their mission, adapted to the 21st century” continues Baudouin.
Many specialists have been consulted or are supporting the reflections on both content and form, including Ariane de Lestrange, former Head of Communications at the Palace of Versailles, Ben Yishai Danieli (Israel Museum), Fanny Garbes (Museums of Bayeux) for example. And of course Mike Kattan, IT specialist at the Custody.
The call for tenders to palestinian companies specialized in website design will be launched in the coming days. More to follow!
