Web Design for Foodstyle.ie
Role
UX Designer, working from initial client wants/needs to delivering end product that has boosted their engine search.
Year
2021
Location
Ireland - remote, working with client
Contact
conaill.m.odwyer@gmail.com
This project was for a business who needed an updated website, as they had dropped in web search engines and needed to inspire new clients for their growing business.
The Problem:
How to create a web design that fits in with the clients style, but also improves searchability in the web.
The Goal:
Create a responsive web design that showcases the clients work, while providing contact details easily and to bring page closer to the top search results.
Project Overview
The Project:
Working with the client, we developed a plan and site layout, in order to best showcase their work and to attract potential clients. It was also a webpage to show clients work, when being put forward for jobs. Client asked to work on SEO’s in order to improve their place in the search engine results as it had fell to page 6.
Understanding the user
User Research
Empathy Maps
User Pain Points
Competitive Audit
User Research: Summary:
I conducted interviews with photographers, set designers and graphic designers to understand their needs and checklists when they search for food stylists for jobs. I also directed usability studies of the old webpage, to understand what users liked/disliked and how they managed their way through the site. Overall, the design needed to become more user friendly and modern to highlight the work of the client. A clearer bio, and one that was more concise needed to be formed. Contact information, including social feeds, was to be accessible throughout the website.
Empathy Maps
User Pain Points
Visual
All participants stated that they would love to see more visually pleasing web designs, that showcase work.
Up-to-date
Having old images and works, as well as having the overall design more contemporary was a key pain point by participants.
Usability
Participants wanted usability to be important in the design as it can be hard to manage some sites.
Social Feed
Some found that not all websites had social or email links. This was vital for certain participants as they would not put in the time to search for a way to contact them.
Competitive Audit
I looked through other stylist and photographer websites, both in Ireland and abroad, to get a better understanding of what is expected by users for portfolio websites. What won out was a more simple design, with clear imagery. There were some direct competitors that had outdated websites and it was important to take this as an advantage to propel my clients website ahead of others. Simples colour scheme and a clear user path was key to make searching and browsing the site easy to use.
Starting the design
Sitemap
Old Designs
Mockups
Client Feedback
Site Map
Information Architecture based on user insights
Mockups
Homepage before redesign
Contact page before redesign
Zoomed image before redesign
Homepage after redesign
Contact after before redesign
Zoomed image after redesign
Mockups - Desktop
Mockups - Mobile
Client Feedback:
-
Strong visual design appealed to the clients own taste as well as their needs
Overall usability had improved
Design brought website up-to-date and gave a contemporary feel to it
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Results:
Client has noticed an increase in site visits
Website has improved in search engine, coming in on the first page of Google and Bing
Accessibility Considerations
-
1.
Colour was checked with WebAIM from the beginning. A darker feel gave it a better contrast even in low light.
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2.
Hierarchy played a role to help users map their way through each page, especially in the contact form.
Takeaways
Impact:
Site went from page 6 to page 1 of search engines, improving the searchabiltiy of the website and helping potential future clients find the site.
What I Learned:
User research played a big role in developing a visually pleasing site that meant the needs of the client and the users of their website. Working with a client was a great learning experience, and being confident when presenting designs.
Quote from client:
“I couldn’t have asked for more, it was such an easy process and I felt confident after our initial meeting. Since then, I’ve gotten compliments from crew and clients on my design and how it elevated my work.”
Let’s connect
Thank you for taking the time to review my work. If you like what you see and want to get in touch I would love to connect.