Breaking the Silence
WEBSITE REDESIGNProject Info
Intro
In this case study, we will explore the process of improving the design and accessibility of the Breaking the Silence website, which is currently built using WordPress and Elementor. The primary goal is to address the issues related to excessive use of colors and design elements, ensuring compliance with accessibility guidelines and enhancing the overall user experience (UX).
Challenges
The current Breaking the Silence website is facing several significant challenges that need to be addressed to ensure optimal user experience, particularly for younger and elderly individuals who may have limited experience with technology. The website suffers from excessive colours, a cluttered and unresponsive layout, a lack of usability, and a failure to adhere to accessibility guidelines. These issues can significantly impact user engagement, frustrate users, and exclude key user groups, leading to a subpar overall experience.
Excessive Colors:
The website currently employs an abundance of colors, which creates visual overload and confusion for users. The excessive use of colors can be overwhelming, particularly for individuals who are less tech-savvy or have visual impairments. This may result in difficulty distinguishing elements and impede effective communication of information, negatively impacting the user experience.
Cluttered and Unresponsive Layout:
The website exhibits a cluttered layout, making it challenging for users to locate and consume relevant content efficiently. Additionally, the website lacks responsiveness, failing to adapt and provide an optimal viewing experience across various devices and screen sizes. This lack of responsiveness can frustrate users and deter them from engaging with the website, particularly when accessing it on mobile devices.
Lack of Usability:
The current website design lacks clear navigation, intuitive interactions, and logical information architecture, making it difficult for users, especially those with limited technology experience, to find the information they seek. The absence of a user-friendly interface and streamlined user flows hampers efficient task completion and contributes to a frustrating user experience.
Lack of Accessibility Guidelines:
The website neglects to adhere to accessibility guidelines, limiting its usability for individuals with disabilities or those who rely on assistive technologies. Important accessibility considerations, such as color contrast, keyboard navigation, and alternative text for images, are not implemented properly. This exclusionary approach prevents a significant portion of the target audience, particularly younger and elderly users, from accessing and interacting with the website effectively.
Addressing these issues is crucial to ensure a positive user experience, improved engagement, and inclusivity for all users, regardless of their age or level of technology experience. By reducing excessive colors, decluttering the layout, implementing a responsive design, enhancing usability, and adhering to accessibility guidelines, the website can create a more user-friendly and accessible environment, fostering engagement and facilitating the organization’s mission effectively.
Background
- Breaking the Silence is a vital organization that provides a safe ministry environment within the Presbyterian churches. It operates under the Conduct Protocol Unit, which was established by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in New South Wales to address and respond to matters of abuse within the church community.
- As a web developer and designer, the task at hand is to improve the design and accessibility of the Breaking the Silence website. By enhancing the website’s visual appeal, usability, and adherence to accessibility guidelines, the goal is to create an online platform that effectively communicates the organization’s mission, supports their vision of safe ministry, and facilitates the dissemination of important resources and information to the church community.
Current Design
UX/ UI Website DESIGN
Improving the User Experience of a BTS Website
To address the challenges faced by the previous Breaking the Silence website, I successfully utilized WordPress as the content management system (CMS) and Elementor as the website builder. By leveraging the benefits of WordPress and Elementor, I have created a user-friendly, visually appealing, and accessible website that effectively conveys the organization’s message. Here’s how I accomplished these goals:
User-Friendly and Responsive Design:
Using Elementor’s drag-and-drop interface, I have designed a clean and intuitive layout that prioritizes ease of use and seamless navigation. Elements are organized logically, making it effortless for users to locate and access information. Additionally, the website is fully responsive, adapting to different screen sizes and devices. By employing responsive design techniques, I provide an optimal viewing experience for users on desktops, tablets, and smartphones, enhancing usability and engagement.
Usability Focus:
I have prioritized usability throughout the website redesign process. Clear and intuitive navigation menus, well-structured content, and easily identifiable calls-to-action make it effortless for users to accomplish their goals and find the information they need. By improving usability, I have created a seamless and satisfying user experience.
Accessibility Enhancement:
Adhering to WCAG guidelines, I have made the website more accessible to a wider range of users. This includes optimizing color contrast, implementing alternative text for images, and using proper heading hierarchy for screen readers. By ensuring accessibility, I have made it easier for individuals with disabilities to access and interact with the website’s content, promoting inclusivity and equal access for all.
Content Presentation and Readability:
Working closely with Breaking the Silence, I have reorganized and optimized the website’s content, ensuring clarity and relevance. Important information is now presented prominently, guiding users to the resources and support they need. Through thoughtful use of white space, clear typography, and appropriate font sizes, readability and ease of comprehension have been enhanced. The website’s content is structured in a logical and scannable manner, enabling users to quickly find the information they seek.
Addition of Proper Images, Icons, and Animations:
To enhance engagement, I added proper images and icons that align with the Breaking the Silence brand. These visual elements are carefully selected to effectively convey the organization’s message and support the content. Furthermore, I strategically incorporated animations throughout the website to create a more dynamic and interactive experience, capturing visitors’ attention and improving engagement.
By leveraging the capabilities of WordPress and Elementor, I have successfully created a highly customizable and user-friendly website that meets the needs of Breaking the Silence. This solution not only enhances the visual appeal and accessibility of the website but also provides a seamless experience across devices. The website now effectively conveys the organization’s message and supports their mission of promoting safe ministry within the Presbyterian Church.
Key Learnings & Retrospective
The case study focuses on the redesign and improvement of the Breaking the Silence website, with a specific emphasis on design and accessibility. By leveraging WordPress and Elementor, the website was transformed to create a user-friendly, visually appealing, and accessible experience. The significance of improving design and accessibility for the website lies in its potential positive impact on user engagement, brand perception, and the organization’s mission.
Improving design and accessibility have led to several key outcomes. The enhanced user experience is evident through positive feedback, increased engagement, and users find it easier to navigate the website, access resources, and accomplish their goals efficiently.
The positive impact on brand perception is notable, as the website now reflects the professionalism and commitment to safe ministry of Breaking the Silence. The visually appealing interface, proper use of images and icons, and engaging animations have enhanced the brand’s credibility, trustworthiness, and overall user satisfaction.
In terms of the organization’s mission, the improved accessibility ensures that individuals of all abilities can access and interact with the website effectively. This inclusivity aligns with the Presbyterian Church’s commitment to safe ministry and provides individuals with the necessary resources and support. By adhering to accessibility guidelines, Breaking the Silence promotes equal access and inclusion for everyone.
It is important to emphasize that ongoing monitoring and updates are vital to maintaining accessibility and UX compliance. Regular monitoring helps identify any new accessibility issues or usability challenges that may arise. Staying up to date with evolving guidelines and best practices ensures that the website continues to provide an accessible and optimal user experience over time.
In conclusion, the redesign and improvement of the Breaking the Silence website have significantly enhanced design and accessibility, leading to positive outcomes in user engagement, brand perception, and the organization’s mission. By prioritizing accessibility and user-centered design, Breaking the Silence has created an inclusive and user-friendly website that effectively communicates their commitment to safe ministry. Continued monitoring and updates will ensure that the website remains accessible, engaging, and aligned with the evolving needs of users.