Solution

The focus for this site was to make its design striking, yet easy to access.  A fixed width design was chosen, to ensure that the site appeared as close to identical on as many machines as possible.   The design was loosely based around the firm’s business card design, with a striking Udakka logo.

Simple navigation through the content was added, to complement the content panels.  The font was selected to be easy on the eye and large enough to be comfortable to read.

Selecting an image for the background of the site proved challenging without the image dominating.  Many images were tried, and the selected image had a number of filters applied to ensure it enhanced the content rather than detract from it.

At the same time as the redesign, it was decided to upgrade the content management system the web site was running on.  A new installation of WordPress was used which gave the flexibility to add more functionality to the site, and makes updating the site simple for staff.

The Group had an existing web site but it had not been used to its full potential.  The site was beginning to show its age and was in need of an overhaul.

Solution

The first priority was to give members of the group control over their web site.  To that end, a content management system was installed to provide access to add and edit content, and to maintain event information.

A simple site design was created with an emphasis on striking photographic images to highlight the goals of the group.  The yellow and blue of the EU logo were used to brand the site using text effects to create the title bar.

A members area was created in order to share information and documents to members only.  It is planned that this will reduce the amount of hard copy information that needs to be distributed.

Events are now set up online, giving members the ability to register their intent to attend meetings or seminars.  This reduces the administrative need to distribute invitations and monitor replies.  The event planner can simply, log in and print off a delegate list.

Given that the site has been extensively overhaulled it was necessary to pay attention to the site’s search engine presence.   As well as building the site to comply with best practice guidelines for accessibility, the site has been built to be easily readable by search engines.  Additionally, the site provides a sitemap directly to search engines to inform them of the presence of new or altered pages.

Knowing who is using the site is valuable information for any site owner.  Google Analytics has been implemented to understand the site’s users and how they are using the site.

The choirs previous site had been only for five years and was in need of a refresh.  The purpose of the relaunch was to bring the site up to modern standards both technically and aesthetically.  This was done by implementing a modern content management system to allow specified individuals to login to a secure admin area to maintain the content themselves and make it easy to do so.  The WordPress software makes it easy to present content in a way that suits the choir.

Aesthetically, the design was to be clear, modern and usable.   The site has been designed to highlight Cadenza’s musical abilities while promoting upcoming events that the choir is taking part in.  It is a simple structure that is intended to remove distractions and render the site simple to use.  The site has been built with accessibility in mind, and the design is also usable without images and styles.

Tracking was of interest too, and an analytics solution has been installed in order to track visitors and visitor activity on the site.  This will be used to inform future design and content decisions.

The site has been built using the WordPress content management system which allows for the management of the site from any internet connected computer in the world.

In additional to being coded in adherence to recognised web standards to comply with disability discrimination legislation and guidance, the site has been built to be aesthetically pleasing yet simple.

With regard to content, the needs of this small business have been taken into account. The need to highlight recent work has been catered for with a sliding content box on the front page that scrolls through the latest five pieces of work without using more screen real estate than necessary. Additionally the benefits for regularly updated content are realised through the use of the interesting reading box. This is easy to maintain by linking to a Google Reader account which allows the company to easily share articles of interest through the web site using Google’s technology.

There is space for in depth articles relating to web design, development, internet marketing for the purposes of search engine optimisation.

Steve Dalgleish of esspeedee commented on the new site “It was time for a refresh. The new branding and design gives a fresh new look in this fast paced industry. This design is simple yet elegant, clean yet functional. I am hoping this will further improve our search engine rankings for our key search terms”.