Standards bodies play a vital role in ensuring the quality, safety, and reliability of products and services across various industries. In today’s digital era, websites have become an essential tool for standards bodies to effectively communicate their services, showcase their expertise, and facilitate the certification process. This article will delve into the role of websites in standards bodies, with a focus on our client MCS*.
Certification bodies play a vital role in ensuring the quality, safety, and reliability of products and services across various industries. In today’s digital era, websites have become an essential tool for certification bodies to effectively communicate their services, showcase their expertise, and facilitate the certification process. This article will delve into the role of websites in certification bodies, with a focus on MCS.
Providing Information and Education
Websites serve as an information hub for standards and certification bodies, and MCS Certified is no exception. Their website offers a wealth of information about their certification services, including detailed explanations of their standards, procedures, and requirements. This enables installers and consumers to understand the certification process and make informed decisions.
All MCS standards are regularly reviewed and updated by working groups of industry professionals and the MCS website is designed to allow standards to be easily uploaded, located, downloaded, and shared.
The website also provides a home for the full MCS product directory. MCS certifies thousands of products and information about each of them, whether they are certified by MCS of other standards bodies, and how long each certification is applicable for needs to be easy for contractors to find. Simple search, sort and filter functions make this process as easy as possible for users.
MCS’s website also provides educational resources such as articles, guides, and FAQs, which help users gain a deeper understanding of renewable energy technologies, sustainability, and relevant industry regulations. By offering educational content, certification bodies can empower individuals and businesses to adopt sustainable practices and contribute to a greener future.
The website reaches separate audiences in different ways, with dedicated user experiences for contractors and consumers. Consumers most regularly come to the website to find a trustworthy certified contractor to do work in their home or business and an integrated tool allows them to find and contact, in seconds, one of thousands of contractors near them who can install the technology they want.
Building Credibility and Trust
Websites are crucial for establishing credibility and trust in certification bodies. MCS’s website features testimonials, case studies, and success stories from certified organisations. These real-world examples demonstrate the benefits and value of MCS certification, instilling confidence in potential clients.
The website also highlights the accreditation and recognition received by MCS Certified, showcasing their compliance with international standards. Certifications, partnerships, and affiliations with reputable organisations are prominently displayed, further bolstering credibility and trust.
Streamlining Certification Processes
Websites simplify and streamline the certification process for both certification bodies and clients. MCS’s website provides clear instructions on how to apply for certification, what documents are required, and the associated fees. By providing this information upfront, the website saves time and effort for both parties involved.
Information is also effectively categorised and easy to find. This makes it easier for MCS and the contractors they work with to get the right information for each situation across a broad variety of experiences. With a large portfolio of different technologies, and several third-party certification bodies, MCS uses its website to efficiently guide users to the right place to find the right information first time.
Online application forms and portals allow clients to submit their documentation electronically and privately, eliminating the need for physical paperwork and reducing administrative burdens. Additionally, websites often feature progress tracking tools, enabling applicants to monitor the status of their certification process, further enhancing transparency and efficiency.
Facilitating Communication and Support
Websites serve as a communication platform for certification bodies to engage with clients, industry professionals, and the public. MCS’s website offers various channels to contact their team, such as email, phone, and an online contact form. This accessibility ensures that queries, concerns, and support requests can be addressed promptly.
Contact forms are the fastest, easiest, and most trackable way of contacting the team at MCS, and they allow requests to be automatically categorised instantly, making it easier for the MCS helpdesk to assign and resolve cases quickly and efficiently.
Frequently updated news sections, blogs, and newsletters on the website keep stakeholders informed about industry trends, regulatory updates, and upcoming events. By providing regular updates, certification bodies can establish themselves as knowledge leaders in their respective domains and foster a sense of community among clients and industry professionals.
The design of the website allows tagged news stories to be displayed in displayed in relevant sections of the website so that the most up-to-date information is always available in a single place, now matter how often it is added.
The website also facilitates two-way communication effectively. When MCS launched a public consultation on proposals to redevelop their scheme in June 2023, the consultation was hosted on the website and the response documents and processes were accessible for stakeholders to ensure that they had a say in shaping the future of the small-scale renewables industry.
Showcasing Industry Leadership
Websites offer certification bodies an opportunity to showcase their industry leadership and expertise. MCS’s website features a resource library where users can access reports, whitepapers, and industry insights related to renewable energy and sustainability. This content demonstrates MCS’s commitment to staying at the forefront of industry advancements and sharing valuable knowledge.
The website may also include information about the certification body’s involvement in standard development committees, industry conferences, and research collaborations. Such affiliations showcase their active participation and influence in shaping industry standards and best practices.
Websites play an integral role in the operations of certification bodies, exemplified by MCS. Through informative content, streamlined processes, and effective communication channels, certification bodies can leverage websites to promote their services, build credibility, streamline certification processes, and foster engagement within their industries. As digital platforms continue to evolve, certification bodies must adapt their websites to meet the changing needs of clients and stakeholders, ensuring the highest standards of certification.
If you would like to find out we can help your organisation to design a new website or improve an existing website then get in contact to start exploring your options. We are experienced in helping companies to develop effective fit for purpose website that are designed to enhance the business services and improve customer experience.
* The MCS website was developed in partnership with AndThenAssociates
