User needs
As with any web service, the initial landing page or homepage is a crucial entry point for users finding the service. Its primary role is to signpost users to relevant information and thereby fulfil a general user need of the following:
"I need to know what data is available, so that I understand what answers I can get"
Initial ideas
Output from a collaborative sketching workshop during Alpha
When starting the design process for the homepage we held collaborative workshops with the whole team including key stakeholders and end users. We used collaborative sketching sessions to generate a host of quick fire ideas based around the key user needs and kept refining and iterating.
The images above show the output from a rapid fire ideas generation session. Although very crude at this point, they helped lay a foundation to move forward into a more structured prototype.
Usability testing feedback on prototype during Alpha
In our first usability session we engaged with 5 participants remotely, from a mix of persona groups. Users were asked to complete a series of activities with follow up questions.
Our team watched sessions live in real time and grouped all the 'pain points' as they unfolded. This helped give clear direction on the next iterations and working prototypes.
Public beta
Screenshot showing the first public facing homepage
We continued to carry our more usability sessions and gathered more feedback from our end users.
Some users felt there wasn't a clear visual hierarchy on the page and that the page has a lot of links to consider before making a choice.
Some users felt there was too much vertical scrolling which meant it slowed the process, and they couldn't see everything 'at a glance'.
Screenshot showing a design refresh
Based on user feedback we introduced a clearer hierarchy to the page, to help visually guide users to the main features of the service.
This simple change made the page easier to use, giving the homepage more clarity.
"The green buttons help focus key functions of the service"
"Far less vertical scrolling to get to what I want"
Screenshot showing current homepage layout
We have continued to make subtle iterations to the home page, adding an extra primary call to action for the updated data catalogue (providing a direct path to data products) and a new link to the release calendar (giving users direct access to future release dates).
Next steps
We continue to gather more user feedback and are prioritising updates for development. This may include:
- Adding a site search on the home page
- Showing links to latest releases
- Adding a space for more dynamic content