Improving website structure and content

I worked with a nonprofit to increase the usability of their website.

The problem

The website's design was old and confusing, with irrelevant and improperly placed pages. The program names were unclear to outsiders, and the site couldn't handle the growing number of programs the nonprofit offers.

Project overview

First, I created a voice chart to understand the voice and tone of the company. I then redesigned the website architecture, renamed the program pages, and improved usability through side-wide copy updates.

My impact

Reduced content reading level by 2 grades

Cut redundant content

Redesigned web architecture

Brand information more accessible

Information architecture

Before

Opportunities for improvement

Scattered pages

Each portion of the website is on a separate page. This causes the menus when users are initiating a task to be overwhelmed. The About Us section is overwhelming. The photos don't help with navigation or usability and take up the majority of the space on the menu. In the final version, these 6 pages are reduced to 3.

Program layout and titles don't provide context

Currently each program has a dedicated page, but they aren't grouped by department, nor is it easily understood what exactly the programs do. Users don't know what "Ruth YouthBuild," "SECTOR," or "GRYD" is let alone how they are related.

Before

Website usability audit

CONTENT AUDIT HIGHLIGHTS

I worked through each page on the website to ensure the content was relevant, usable, and clear. This is not everything that I worked on, but represents some of the more impactful sections of work.

Home page

Header

Before

After

Mission statement

Before

After

Program descriptions

Before

RUTH YouthBuild

RUTH YouthBuild is a leadership development program that offers a high school education, job training, and service to community.

GRYD

Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) Intervention and Prevention programs provide youth development through community engagement and personal development services in an effort to strengthen the resilience of youth, families, and communities.

SECTOR

ACE’s SECTOR program provides reentry services, education, workforce development, support services, and job placement for individuals impacted by the justice system.