Sean Facer

iBudokan.academy WEBSITE PROPOSAL CURRENT SITUATION Results and considerations, following our UX audit. Analysing the current situation allows us to understand and evaluate potential issues and think of solutions. It also allows us to have a better understanding of existing content and the required functionality. UX AUDIT CURRENT WEBSITE HOMEPAGE User Engagement • • • • • At the moment, the current website does not showcase the iBudokan Academy. Messaging and imagery are not grabbing the user’s attention. The use of different colours and styles are confusing to the user. The first thing we see when we land on the website is a promotional banner, taking the user focus away from the content. The last point can also cause disconfort as might be viewed as “click-bait”. Content Improvements Apart from the courses and instructors (information also available in dedicated pages), there is no extra content. The homepage should tell a story to convince the user of its credibility. What is it? What are the benefits? Why choose it? What makes it different? Less Initial Content Currently the way the content is structured is making the page to long, which makes it hard for the user to find relevant content. It most cases, less is more. This structure is also creating empty spaces, which will worsen as and when new categories are introduced. Navigation • • • There is no hierarchy in the navigation. All links have the same style, regardless of its importance. “Category” and “Courses” links point to the same page. UX AUDIT COURSE PAGE Less Content The page is showing mixed content when it could be focusing just on the courses. Showing a list of all courses and top courses underneath will most likely cause content repetition and confusion to the user. This is also increasing the page length. Filters The page is structured in an “usual” listing layout, with navigation and filters on the left and listing on the right. This is familiar to most users, which is good, but in this particular case, could also present some issues as the filter options grow. Search There is no way of quickly searching for a particular course without using the top search. This is most likely the page where users will want to search for content. After searching, there is no way to clear the search terms. PROPOSAL 1 This proposal follows the main structure and funtionality of the existing website. We are, however, suggesting some structural changes, following insights from the audit. Regarding the content, we are suggesting possible headers, placeholder images and content blocks to better illustrate a more direct contact with the user. These are open to your consideration. FIRST IMPACT HOMEPAGE Landing Area A new homepage header intends to capture the user’s initial attention, by using an impactful image and colour scheme, together with a strong message. Also shows a clear Call-To-Action to Register. Credibility This new section sets the credibility needed and gives the user some background about the iBudokan Academy. Recommended Courses & Popular Instructors Our suggestion is to organise the content in two main carousels, one for suggested/recommended courses and a second for the popular/ featured instructors. These give an initial idea of the content without overpopulating the page. Each of these sections contains a link to the dedicated pages to view the remaining content. Footer A better-organised footer, showing navigation links, contact details and social media links. COURSES PAGE For this page, we’ve kept the structure and functionality of the current website, with some key recommendations. Instead of showing the adding complexity to this page by having separate sections for Popular and Recommended Courses, we suggest expanding the filters to allow those options. Also, we’re removing the Popular Instructors, as the information is already on the homepage and its dedicated page. This way, we simplify the layout and user experience. ROTATING BANNER EXAMPLE PROPOSAL 2 The next proposal takes the same principles to the next level. A modern and bolder approach, escaping from the typical website layout. We are suggesting structural and content changes, which we believe will improve the overall user experience. Once again, the used content is open to your consideration. FIRST IMPACT HOMEPAGE Landing Area A bolder and impactful look and feel to match the industry. The “Welcome” message grabs the user attention and comfort. A small introduction to the service and offering provides the needed background. Also, a better social media presence, as it’s our suggestion to make the most of them for better website results. Structured Content The new layout offers at the same time, the information needed for credibility and showcases the offering. All sections provide links for more detailed information. WHAT Quick introduction on the courses and how to experience them + a carousel of the featured courses. HOW Quick introduction on the benefits of using the online academy + a image/video to illustrate the facts. WHY Quick introduction on the instructors + a carousel of the most popular instructors. Course Images Giving this new layout, and the fact that the current images don’t provide anything different to the details, in this proposal we’ve opted them out. COURSES PAGE In this proposal, the main difference is the filtering system. Instead of reserving the left panel for filters, we’re compacting them into 3 different selects, which can be used to filter the visible content, plus a quick-search bar. This allows for a fluid layout, and also for the options inside each filter to grow, without growing the page. The initial view will show all the offering (ideally paginated) until the user narrows it down by using the filters. ROTATING BANNER EXAMPLE CONCLUSION Please bear in mind that the previous proposals are not yet finalised and are still subject to amendments. Hopefully, there’s a prefered route to develop further. We wait for honest feedback. iBudokan.academy THANK YOU