The "About" page is a strategic space for third places, fablabs, and makerspaces, allowing visitors to discover key information about your venue. With management software like Fab-Manager, you can easily customize and enhance this page to reflect your space's identity while improving the daily management of your structure. Here’s why and how to make the most of this space to attract new users, optimize member experiences, and manage your third place effectively.

I. Why the "About" page is essential for managing your third place

1. Establish a strong identity and stand out

The "About" page is often one of the first destinations for visitors seeking information about a third place, fablab, or makerspace. This page allows them to understand the history, mission, and values of your venue. It's where you can share what makes your space unique and different from other third places.

With management software like Fab-Manager, you can customize this page to better communicate your identity. A clear and coherent presentation of your mission and objectives helps enhance the attractiveness of your venue and draw in potential members.

2. Build trust and engagement within the community

By showcasing your team and introducing the individuals who bring your third place to life, you strengthen the human connection with your community. This can include brief bios and photos of each member to make the page warmer and more inviting.

The Édulab at the University of Rennes II is a great example. They use their "About" page to present their team in a friendly manner, featuring photos and short descriptions of each member. This helps visitors feel more at ease and connected to the space, thereby boosting their engagement. Furthermore, using management software makes it easy to update this information over time to stay relevant.

3. A hub for practical information

Visitors also turn to the "About" page to find practical information such as hours of operation, address, contact details, and links to social media. Management software like Fab-Manager allows you to centralize this information in a straightforward and intuitive way. For instance, places like the Ouistreham-Riva-Bella third place offer a clear presentation of contact details, hours, and location specifics while making the page dynamic with attractive visuals.

Additionally, Fab-Manager automatically displays privacy policies and terms of service at the bottom of the page, ensuring complete transparency for users.

II. How to Effectively Structure the "About" Page with Management Software

1. Highlight the History and Values of Your Venue

As a manager of a fablab, makerspace, or third place, it’s crucial to present a concise overview of your venue’s history and foundational values. This allows visitors and potential members to quickly understand what sets you apart from others. Management software like Fab-Manager enables you to organize this information professionally, with well-structured sections for easy reading.

2. Add Visuals to Energize the Page

Images and visuals are essential for making your third place's "About" page more inviting and lively. Whether it's photos of your spaces, machines, or team members, these visual elements play a key role in attracting visitors. Fab-Manager makes it easy to integrate images and videos, making the page more interactive.

3. Display Practical Information and Your Social Media

With management software, you can also ensure that all practical information is accessible to your users. Be sure to include hours of operation, address, and contact details. Adding your social media links allows users to follow your events and updates in real time.

4. Showcase Your Partners and Collaborations

If your third place collaborates with partners or sponsors, you can mention them on your "About" page and include their logos. This enhances your credibility and demonstrates that you are part of a broader ecosystem. Fab-Manager also allows you to easily add this section to highlight your collaborations.

III. Examples of successful "About" pages with Fab-Manager

1. Ouistreham-Riva-Bella Third Place: Dynamism and practical information

The "About" page of the Ouistreham-Riva-Bella third place perfectly combines attractive visuals with a clear presentation of practical information, such as the address and opening hours. Using management software, they have effectively structured this information while creating a dynamic and welcoming page. Check out their page: https://tierslieu-ouistreham-rivabella.fr/#!/about.

2. Technistub: Highlighting the history and mission of the venue

Technistub, the Fab Lab in Mulhouse, adopts a visual approach to tell the story of their third place: Technistub. With infographics and diagrams, they make the presentation more engaging and accessible. This type of presentation is easily achievable with management software like Fab-Manager, which allows users to add and modify these graphic elements simply.

3. Edulab Rennes II : Human and warm presentation of the team

The Édulab at the University of Rennes II offers a human presentation of its team, featuring photos and brief descriptions: Édulab. Fab-Manager facilitates the creation of these sections, allowing for a friendly and engaging structuring of information.

4. Fabriquet et Onl’fait : Minimalist yet impactful page

These third places, already having a website, opted for a lighter "About" page. By using Fab-Manager, they focus on practical information and redirect visitors to their site for additional details, ensuring effective management while maintaining online visibility. To learn more: https://fabriquet.fab-manager.com/#!/about & https://fabmanager.onlfait.ch/#!/about

Examples of Third place

The "About" page is a major asset for any third place, fablab, or makerspace looking to attract new members, retain its community, and strengthen its image. With management software like Fab-Manager, you can structure this page professionally, include engaging visuals, and provide clear and transparent information to your visitors. Whether you choose a detailed page or a more minimalist approach, the key is to remain authentic while offering an optimal user experience.

FAQ

  • Can I add my social media links on the "About" page of Fab-Manager?
    Yes, Fab-Manager allows you to easily add links to your social media, enabling your users to follow your updates in real time.

  • How can I display legal information such as the privacy policy or terms and conditions?
    The privacy policy and terms and conditions are automatically generated and added as clickable links at the bottom of the "About" page, ensuring complete transparency for users.

  • Is it possible to easily customize the "About" page?
    Yes, Fab-Manager offers simple and intuitive customization of the "About" page. You don’t need any technical skills; just drag and drop your visuals and fill in the text fields provided to present your third place.