Project Overview

Background

Access by Design is a built-environment accessibility consulting firm operating in Dallas, Texas and working in all 50 states. I was brought in to help renew and redesign the AbyD website. The existing website was rife with web accessibility issues, was clunky and difficult to orient, and the firm often had people misunderstanding their role and what services they provided.

Goals

Improve the accessibility of the website, “walk the walk” as it were
Clearly express firm function and role
Easy access to relevant information for potential and existing clients
Easy hand off and ability for internal upkeep upon completion

Problem

Users of the existing site are often confused about what AbyD does as a firm, conflating them with web accessibility specialists. This, combined with accessibility issues that were out of compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) resulted in a poorly functioning site that could be cumbersome and confusing to navigate.

Impact

Upon completion, AbyD has a website that meets web accessibility standards, clearly expresses the role of the firm, and allows an easier flow of information for users. As well, the site is set up on a user-friendly platform so that the firm is able to take leadership of their own website design and upkeep without the need of outsourcing.

Competitive Analysis

Finding industry trends:

I decided to complete a competitive analysis for a few key reasons:

To determine architecture and consulting industry trends in website design
Find examples of well-made sites and determine why they are effective
Ascertain common weaknesses in industry sites and how to avoid those pitfalls
Get a sense of what UI speaks to AbyD’s mission and personality

Key Insights:

Reliance on visual appeal - sometimes to a fault
High prevalence web accessibility issues (WCAG)
Visible Calls to Action increase the effectiveness of sites

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