MLTA: Custom WordPress Member Platform

A rebuild of MLTA into a modern member platform, designed around how the association actually operates.

Role

Design, Development, Strategy

Platform

WordPress

Timeline

Aug 2025 - Dec 2025

Link

milta.org External link

Overview

Transforming a legacy association website into a role-aware member platform

MLTA’s previous site functioned as a public hub with limited member functionality. Core workflows (dues tracking, company management, and annual updates) were handled off-platform through manual processes, with little visibility for members.

This rebuild introduced a structured, role-driven membership system alongside a full public redesign. Operational workflows were brought on-platform, making them visible, manageable, and scalable.

The objective: create a system that reflects how the association actually operates, while modernizing its public presence.

The Challenge

Unify a fragmented member experience into a single platform

Create a single system that reflects real operations while improving visibility for both members and administrators.

Focus #1

Support multiple member roles with distinct access needs

Focus #2

Centralize content while enabling flexible gating and visibility

Focus #3

Simplify internal management for a non-technical team

Focus #4

Build a system that could scale with the organization over time

PROCESS

Discovery & Systems Mapping

Discovery focused on understanding both member behavior and administrative reality.

  • Analyzed navigation patterns, access attempts, and session behavior
  • Audited off-platform workflows for dues, data processing, and renewals
  • Mapped company-based membership structures and role responsibilities
  • Identified gaps in member visibility and administrative friction

The core issue was structural: critical processes existed, but operated independently. The solution required modeling these relationships and consolidating them into a unified system.

Visual sitemap planning

Existing user behavior analysis via Clarity

PROCESS

Membership Modeling

Defined the platform around MLTA’s company-based membership structure before interface design.

  • Established company-level entities with assigned user accounts
  • Defined Company Admin and Member roles with clear permissions
  • Introduced directory visibility controls and staff oversight
  • Enabled lifecycle features like dues tracking and bulk data imports

This created a foundation for scalable, role-driven functionality aligned to real operations, not layered on top of WordPress defaults.

User role permission matrix

Before/after systems comparison

Dues payment user flow

Feature

Members Area

Introduced a structured, role-aware dashboard centered on core member tasks.

  • Enabled dues payment, event registration, and profile management in one place
  • Tailored experiences by role (admins manage users; members access relevant tools only)
  • Allowed front-end updates for profiles, directory data, and credentials
  • Tracked account state to support reliable administrative workflows

The result is a self-serve environment that reduces reliance on email and backend intervention.

Manage Company view

Edit Profile view

Feature

Dues & Lifecycle Management

Moved dues handling from a generic form to a fully integrated system.

  • Implemented member-type pricing, proration, and payment contexts
  • Added automated reminders, escalation logic, and account restrictions
  • Provided real-time status visibility for members and admins
  • Replaced a disconnected MS Access database with a structured system

This introduced consistent, auditable lifecycle management across the platform.

Company-specific Pay Dues form

Admin Dues Settings

Feature

Events Infrastructure

Rebuilt the events system to support flexible programming.

  • Supported multi-day and non-contiguous event structures
  • Introduced virtual event handling with conditional logic
  • Enabled calendar integrations and automated archiving
  • Provided attendee validation, exports, and communication workflows

The system balances flexibility with structure, allowing it to scale with evolving needs.

Single event agenda table

Attendee CSV export feature

Google/.ics calendar event features

Edit screen for agenda

Feature

Operational Tooling & Admin Improvements

Consolidated and simplified internal workflows.

  • Introduced WP-CLI tooling for repeatable bulk operations
  • Documented runbooks for recurring administrative tasks
  • Added structured editing guardrails to protect data integrity
  • Improved admin organization and separation of concerns

These changes reduce operational risk and enable non-technical staff to manage the system confidently.

Example edit screen for events

Custom WP admin menu organization

DESIGN

Public-Facing Rebuild

Redesigned the public site to improve clarity and credibility.

  • Introduced a modern visual system and consistent content patterns
  • Improved hierarchy, navigation, and content discoverability
  • Increased visibility for events and news
  • Maintained familiarity for long-standing members

The result is a contemporary experience that feels current without disrupting user expectations.

Device Screens

Home hero and intro Home bottom CTAs and footer Manage Company dashboard

Closing Thoughts

The rebuilt platform:

  • Introduces structured member dashboards for the first time

  • Consolidates dues tracking into an integrated lifecycle system

  • Enables Company Administrators to manage users without backend training

  • Brings recurring administrative workflows on-platform

  • Improves data integrity through structured modeling

  • Modernizes the public experience while maintaining usability

The result is a platform that supports both member needs and operational stability.

What would I have done different if I had to do it again?

In a future iteration, I would introduce structured scenario testing earlier with Company Administrator personas to validate edge cases in multi-user management before development accelerated.

I would also conduct full operational simulations of dues cycles earlier in the timeline to surface complex lifecycle scenarios before migration pressures increased.