Digital

Our user focused web design process involves several stages within an iterative development.

Understanding users

Gaining user insights is at the heart of the process. We gather concrete evidence around user needs using research techniques including structured workshops and interviews, online surveys and analysis of website statistics, heat maps and user journeys.

Testing

Testing can be repeated through several stages of the website development process, but the most effective points at which to user test, depending on budget are on system prototypes, design templates and the built and populated system.

Refinement

Refinement is normally achieved in multiple small steps in a fairly nimble process. Our approach to documentation around user testing is to ensure it is action oriented so that we can take concrete steps to improve the interface.

Information architecture (IA)

As well as wireframes and the site map, a number of other IA techniques will enable us to deliver a highly polished end product, including content audits, taxonomy development, site maps, wireframes, system prototypes and functional specifications.

Accessibility

Accessibility is a strong point. We have worked with leading disability charities including Guide Dogs, Livability and Mencap, as well as having produced several sites to ‘Priority 3’ standard. On behalf of John Grooms we conducted substantial hands-on research with disabled people, commissioned by AOL. The research was delivered as a paper at the 2006 Human Computer Interaction Conference at Edinburgh University.

Open Source

Over the past five years we have shifted increasingly to open source technologies and now almost all of our technical development is done using open source content management systems (CMS) or APIs. We’re now committed open source advocates and believe that the open source model provides the best fit with the culture and business needs of our non-profit clients.

The advantages include: incredibly stable core systems with a vast array of bolt-ons for added functionality; no licence fees or copyright issues; a wide pool of available suppliers; and a welcoming and open community which welcomes participation.

For CMS development, we favour the sector leaders, Drupal and WordPress. Drupal is an incredibly powerful enterprise level system for complex websites. WordPress is a lovely, user-friendly and surprisingly sophisticated publishing tool, which is great for small to medium sized sites.

Beyond websites – cloud services and social media

It’s now essential to think beyond your website and pull in content from a vast array of other sources, from online services such as SurveyMonkey and Vimeo, through to social media such as Facebook or Twitter. Many of our clients, from Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research and Youth Parliament UK are reaping massive benefits from social media and we’re really keen to show how you can leverage and build existing networks to enrich your web offer.

Database integration

We’re experienced at providing effective integrations with most of the popular fundraising and CRM systems, including Raiser’s Edge and Civi CRM.

Tracking user behaviours through search

We like to stay the distance with our clients, and we aim to provide light touch support and advice on SEO and AdWords campaigns, which are often strengthened by the insights we’ve gained from user research during the early stages of the project. This insights carry right through to user’s search behaviours and your online campaigns and provide a great way of optimising the substantial benefits available from your Google grant.