Central Connecticut State University UX Research Report
Overview
This report is an examination of Central Connecticut State University’s website to determine the requirements for a redesign.
The website primarily houses information and resources for current and prospective students and families, as well as faculty and staff, alumni, and other key stakeholders. At the time of this analysis. the website was successful in fulfilling this overall purpose, but it lacked a modern design and was difficult to navigate.
Note that the website has been redesigned since this report was completed.
Methods
The following methods were used to evaluate the website with the primary users in mind:
Competitive Analysis
User Personas & Scenarios
User Interview
User Survey
Card Sorting
Usability Test
First Click Test
Value Proposition Generation
Download the full report for an in-depth look at each method and the associated findings.
Results
Using the UX research methods outlined above, I was able to identify several issues across CCSU’s website that needed to be addressed. First, the competitive analysis revealed that the institution’s online presence lacked a modern and visually interesting design compared to competitors. Additionally, both the card sorting exercise and usability test uncovered issues with the main navigation. Participants in these tests were asked to preform tasks that real prospective students and parents would, and struggled to do so effectively.
Recommendations
Move “athletics” and “clubs & organizations” to the Student Life category of the main menu navigation to make this information easier for users to find.
Add “undergraduate”, “graduate”, and “common application” buttons on the main “Apply” page to eliminate the unnecessary steps that currently exist.
Provide additional information to the “Meet the Counselors” page, including the academic programs or regions that each counselor is responsible for, to add more value to the page and make it easier for users to identify the best next step based on their needs.
Redesign the callouts on all program pages to be bolder and more eye-catching to reduce the likelihood that users scroll past without seeing them.
Add the “academic calendar” to the Academics tab of the main menu navigation.
Update the overall visual appeal of the website:
Implement high-quality images that tell the brand story. Avoid using stock images.
Leverage brand colors, fonts, and logos where appropriate.
Implement eye-catching calls-to-action buttons for important features/tasks on the website, including “apply” and “schedule a visit”.