Lowell Makes Website & Digital Marketing

Reviving a Makerspace’s Digital Presence and Community Outreach

Lowell Makes website redesign & digital marketing

About the project 

Lowell Makes is a thriving community makerspace in downtown Lowell, MA, that brings together artists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to share tools, ideas, and inspiration. When A+R Media began working with the organization in October 2024, the goal was clear: build a unified digital presence that reflects the energy of the space and drives engagement from both current and future members.

As Marketing Committee Chair, Andee Wilcott led an all-volunteer marketing team to overhaul the website, relaunch the email newsletter, and craft a data-driven social media strategy — resulting in dramatic growth across all digital channels.

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Solutions:

  • Responsive Web Design
  • Search Engine Optimization
  • Email Marketing
  • Social Media Strategy
  • Content Planning

Project Challenges & Strategy

Unifying the Digital Experience

Before our involvement, Lowell Makes’ site was under-optimized for engagement, with unclear site flows and disconnected communication channels. We needed to reimagine the site’s structure so that new visitors would naturally progress toward taking a tour or joining as members.

Communicating Community & Creativity

Lowell Makes thrives on stories — the makers, the projects, the events. The messaging and visual design needed to reflect that, not feel sterile or corporate.

Building Organic Growth via Email & Social

Email marketing had lapsed, and social media was active but inconsistent. Relaunching both in a coherent, data-driven way was essential for engaging current members and attracting new ones.

Lowell Makes website

Designing for Engagement

A+R Media led a complete transformation of the Lowell Makes website, turning it into a dynamic, user-friendly platform that both informs and inspires. Key initiatives included:

Redefining site architecture to guide visitors toward tour sign-ups and membership options
Integrating member communications (portal access, Basecamp) for better engagement
Designing a fresh, professional, and creative look that celebrates the maker community
Adding simple, visible calls to action for joining the mailing list and contacting leadership
Optimizing for SEO, and setting up Google Analytics and Search Console for data insights
Reviving the blog to highlight events, classes, and member stories
Lowell Makes Newsletter

Reigniting the Conversation

After a long pause, the Lowell Makes newsletter was relaunched with a modern design and consistent monthly schedule. Each issue blends class announcements, event spotlights, and behind-the-scenes maker stories — driving readers to the website and keeping members connected.

Results:

Mailing list grew from 515 to 2,518 in one year
Average 45% open rate, significantly above industry benchmarks
Strong click-throughs to classes, membership pages, and event sign-ups
Read the blog post
Lowell Makes community

Building a Connected Community

A+R Media developed a coordinated posting schedule for Facebook and Instagram, emphasizing authentic storytelling, visual content, and community pride. The result: a revitalized online presence that showcases the creative energy of Lowell Makes.

Highlights:

Facebook: 80% follower growth, 7.2% increase in interactions, 30% increase in page visits
Instagram: 6.7% follower growth, 582% increase in views, 391% increase in interactions

Conclusion

Within a year, Lowell Makes’ digital ecosystem was fully revitalized — attracting new members, re-engaging current ones, and highlighting the vibrancy of Lowell’s maker culture. Strategic content planning and data-backed execution turned what was once a quiet online presence into a thriving community hub.

Rebranding and updating our website has been so easy through A+R.

Everything is neatly integrated, functional, and looks great. It’s a wonderful refresh for our organization and we’re already seeing improved interaction with potential clients through the site. Andee and Rudy are wonderful professionals who deliver on their promises. Highly recommend!
Tracy Flynn, President
Lowell Makes

Take the Next Step Today

Contact us to discuss your project and find out how A+R Media Studio can help you achieve exceptional digital results. Let’s create together.

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