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 new users, 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.
Opportunities for improvement
Scattered pages
The website's structure separated each section onto individual pages, causing cluttered and overwhelming menus when users started tasks. The "About Us" section was particularly overloaded, dominated by large images that didn't improve navigation or usability. To streamline the user experience, I consolidated these six pages into three, creating simpler, more intuitive menus.
Program layout and titles don't provide context
Currently each program has a dedicated page, but they aren't grouped by department. Its also hard to understand what each ACE program does at a glance. Users don't know what "Ruth YouthBuild," "SECTOR," or "GRYD" is let alone how they are related.
After
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.
After
Youth Development
Our Youth Development Programs offer mentorship, accredited high school education, hands-on job training, and personal support.
Workforce Development
The SECTOR Program provides job training for people with a criminal record.
Parenting
The Parenting Program offers affordable classes to strengthen parent-child relationships.
Housing
The Housing Program helps those re-entering the community get access to affordable housing.
Behavioral Health
The Behavioral Health Department offers mental health services to many ACE programs and to the wider community.