Redesign Plan

This report is the culmination of in depth research, including usability testing, on the web site at www.universitypublishing.net. This group has provided two options to the company, the first a set of recommendations for improving the current site. These are based on both heuristic evaluations and the usability test. The second option is a recommendation for a redesign. We understand that the first option may be the only financially viable one; however, the second option will provide the company with a site that is more usable and appropriate to its stated goals.

Recommendations for changes to the current site:
1. Fix the menu so that all menu items are clickable
2. Repair the 404 errors.
3. Menu items should indicate when they are active and a page title should match the title of the link.
4. Change the purple/yellow scheme and purple/orange scheme. These should be more different from each other but not clash. They should not be so different from the red/grey either.
5. Make the menu wording consistent across the site.
6. Simplify the contact page.
7. Change the secondary drop down nav bar. Users constantly tried to click top level buttons that were not clickable because only the drop down items were clickable. Top level buttons should also be clickable, even if they take the user to a page that has the same menu links on it. (does this make sense?)
8. Reword 'feedback' to 'take our survey' and put the link somewhere other than the top most link. If the link 'feedback' remains, it should take the user to a place to make comments about the company or the website.
9. Under 'Update Chapter Info' remove 'Form Explanations'. The forms should be simple enough so that no instructions are needed. If there are some instructions needed then put it on the main 'update chapter info' page.
10. Links that open to a PDF file should say so. People don't usually like to download a lot of things to their computers. Any content that can be converted to HTML should, with an option to download.
Fix some architecture problems. Remove 'Request Info' from 'Directory Help' and 'Newsletter Help'. It's the same page linked to three times and makes for a very confused person who doesn't realize that it's all the same form.
11. Get the markup up to standards
12. Add meta tags to improve search engine function

Redesign
We recommend a redesign because of the large number of usability issues with the site. We feel that the site does not reflect well on the company and could do much more to help the company achieve its goals. Our redesign plan includes a site map, a wire frame, and several design ideas. Our goals for the redesign are to present the site in a clean and simple way by providing consistent and clear navigation, color schemes, menu wording and graphics, and to provide functionality so that the company can collect contact information online. University Publishing's main task is to collect contact information for directories. Often, providing contact information is not a high priority for busy people. For that reason, the web collection form should be as easy to use and find as possible. In addition, there are other companies providing the service that University Publishing provides. A potential client could go to another company if they find University Publishing's web site confusing. The site should be extremely easy to use in order to retain potential clients and collect as much contact information as possible.

Information Architecture
The IA was revised significantly. We kept the idea that there are two types of clients, Sorority and Fraternities and Alumni Associations. Keeping these two audiences separated simplifies the architecture and allows users to see only the content pertaining to them. However, at the second level, we collapsed greek newsletters and greek directories. These two categories were so similar that it took the group some time to understand the difference between the two pages. In addition, they were both represented by the same color scheme. We collapsed these into one category and one link to simplify the navigation. In addition, we collapsed many other categories at the lower level. There were many links that ended up at the same page with no or minor differences. We eliminated all of these unnecessary links. The before and after site map is a good indication of the simplification process we went through.

Navigation
The navigation will flow from the revised IA. The new menu should also be consistent in the wording of titles and headings, should not link to 404 errors, and should have a clear and consistent interaction style. This includes the color of the links, any hover effects that may be used, and the style of links (drop down vs regular). This should address some of the issues listed above dealing with inconsistent navigation and interaction.

Color
Color is a very powerful tool for web designers. Color can create a mood for a site, express emotion, or deliver information. The University Publishing site uses color for information; however, it does not effectively convey the information that it needs to. A red/grey scheme is used for the high level pages and purple/yellow and purple/orange are used for the two categories of users. However, the purple scheme and the red scheme are such different color schemes that it almost seems like separate sites. The clashing schemes take away from the consistency of the site. In addition, the purple/yellow and purple/orange are so similar that it isn't immediately obvious that the two sections are different.
We recommend alternate color schemes that are balanced and consistent. Possible schemes are listed:
Red Tab and Menu: High level pages
Grey Tab and Menu: Alumni Associations
Black Tab and Menu: Greek Organizations

more?

The topmost header should remain the same throughout the site. These are not the only color schemes that would work, they are just a few examples of possible solutions.

Home Page
The current home page is successful at providing a user with an indication of the purpose of the site. However, we think that the number of very large links, with whole phrases underlined, gives the site an unprofessional look. One test user suggested that these links be turned into buttons. The team feels that these links are unneccessary, as the links are provided very clearly in the menu. A professional looking image, a sample of a newsletter and/or a brief purpose statement are all more appropriate and professional options for the web site. If University Publishing decides to proceed with a redesign, it might be worth considering some quick links to the forms that allow clients and users to update. If these links were well placed images, the look would be more professional than it is now.

Accessibility
Accessible web sites are important not only for those users with disabilities, but also for users who are elderly, young, unfamiliar with the web, or colorblind. Accessibility helps everyone by providing users with a site that is easy on the eyes and brain. It helps the company because an accessible website is impressive and easy to use. It provide the client with and excellent web experience and makes them more likely to continue to use the site or recommend it to others. The redesigned site will take into account Section 508 usability guidelines whereever possible. Pages will be marked up using standards compliant XHTML and CSS.

Functionality
Currently, the only functionality provided by the website are forms that are then emailed to employees at University Publishing for processing. There is no validation code attached to these forms, so as soon as a user clicks submit, a form is sent, regardless of whether or not it has been completed. Adding javascript validation code is relatively simple and fast, and will prevent employees from receiving incomplete forms. In addition, we want to encourage University Publishing to consider adding a database backend to the site. This way, form data will be entered into the database automatically, and an employee would simply have to look over and approve new additions to the database. This functionality will improve the work flow at University Publishing, and allow employees to concentrate on more complex tasks. We also suggest adding another form that will allow people to visit the site and update their contact information online. Currently, alumni/ae and greek organization members have to mail in their updated contact information. Many of the people contacted by University Publishing are young and well educated. They have access to the Internet and use it frequently. We feel that putting the update form online will increase the number of people who respond to University Publishing's solicitations for contact information.

Redesign Requirements
Our redesign plan will most likely require University Publishing to hire a web designer who is familiar with web standards and has some experiencing designing professional looking sites. If the company has an employee who is familiar with web development, then they could possibly save some money by hiring a professional to design a template and having the employee enter the content. However, although employees are often used by company's to build a website, only a professional can ensure that an accessible, usable and standards-compliant site is produced. The site will most likely be built using Photoshop for initial design work, XHTML, CSS and Javascript. Some PHP will be used for the forms and the company decides to move forward with a database, then something like MySQL will be used as well. Depending on the options that University Publishing decides to implement, the development time will be approximately 30 - 60 hours and cost between $500 and $1000 dollars.

Future Design Work and Maintenance
The new University Publishing web site will require basic maintenance. A few hours a month will be needed to update content and keep the site fresh. If a database backend is present, there will need to be a person on staff who is familiar with the database interface in order to create reports and extract data. There should be a person assigned to receive, respond to and archive emails regarding the site. This will inform any updates or future redesign. In general, the new web site should not need much maintenance after the redesign. It is not a huge site, and the company does not change their content often. If the site is built to meet standards using up to date technology, then University Publishing could expect it to serve them well for several years.