An overview of the problems facing the du.edu website. A prototype of the site is available, but will change in time. For the latest on the re-design project, please go to http://2roadsdiverge.blogspot.com/.

2. Past Research

4. Visitor Reactions

5. “ Prospective students should have more stories, more pictures, mountains, sun. Things that interest kids.”

6. “ Financial aid information was tough to find; I didn’t know how to sign up for FAFSA.”

7. “ I’d like links directly to the majors. The embedded links in the text are too confusing and take too many clicks.”

8. “ [The sites] info seems buried.”

9. “ I don’t know what it is that they are trying to accomplish with this home page.”

10. “ I pretty much gave up on DU’s site.”

11. Main Problem: Hard to Find Info

12. » Academic Programs » Tuition & financial aid » Student life » DU’s uniqueness » Important links hidden

13. Root Cause: Decentralization

14. » Scattered information across independent sites » Duplicated content » Inconsistent architecture, design & voice

15. A New Approach: Focus on People

16. » Internal vs. external » Audience needs drive successful Web sites » Deliver the right content to the right person at the right time

17. Advantages

18. » Clearly organized content based on visitor needs » Personalized site experience » Consistent architecture, design & voice

19. Visitor Reactions: Take 2

20. “ I think it’s pretty. I know I like it more than the current site.”

21. “ All the information I need—looking here—is right on the front page.”

22. “ Makes sense for the site to revolve around programs instead of schools and departments.”

23. “ That was pretty easy.”