2021
Website: Naturgarden
A private project. Created and set up a website for Naturgården.
ROLE: Implementation, Design
PROJECT DURATION: 2 days
Project Overview
Naturgården needed a simple website solution that allowed them to maintain an online presence without the complexity of managing a high-maintenance platform. Their request was clear: a site that would enable them to update their content easily without relying on others for assistance. After discussing their needs, I opted for a quick and straightforward solution using WordPress and building blocks. This approach ensured the website met their basic requirements while allowing for easy future updates.
Website
My Roles and Contributions
I took on multiple roles, including ideation, prototyping, and usability testing. My key responsibilities included:
Ideation & Stakeholder Communication: I worked closely with the client to understand their exact needs and preferences.
Prototyping & Design: Created low-fidelity paper prototypes to map out the user flow and design structure.
Implementation: Developed the website using WordPress, focusing on ease of use and quick deployment.
Usability Testing: Conducted basic testing to ensure the website was intuitive and met the client’s requirements for easy content management.
Design Process
Given the urgency and the simplicity of the request, I chose a fast and efficient approach over an iterative design process. The goal was to develop a website that was easy to maintain, with minimal technical knowledge required.
01. Define
- Gathered clear requirements from stakeholders, who wanted a straightforward, easy-to-update website that resembled their old one.
- The focus was on usability and simplicity, with no high-end functionality or design required.
02. Design
- Developed low-fidelity paper prototypes to visualize the user flow and key website components. This allowed me to quickly validate ideas before moving to the implementation phase.
03. Implementation
- Built the site using WordPress, leveraging building blocks for easy content management and quick updates. This ensured that the website met the client’s needs and allowed them to maintain it independently.
Challenges and Solutions
The main challenge in this project was balancing the need for a simple, low-maintenance website with my desire to incorporate more advanced features and aesthetics. While the website was functional and met the immediate needs, I had to keep in mind that the client preferred a basic design with minimal complexity.
While I would have liked to incorporate additional functionality and improve the overall design, the owners are fully satisfied with the current version. The website effectively fulfills its primary goal of providing a platform that can easily update.
Future Improvments
Looking ahead, there are several opportunities to enhance the website and expand its functionality based on user feedback and evolving business needs. Future updates could include:
- A more modern design: To better reflect current trends and improve the user experience.
- Online ordering for in-store pickup: A feature to allow customers to place orders for frozen goods online, with pickup in-store rather than shipment.
These updates would improve the user experience and expand the website’s capabilities, moving it closer to a more robust e-commerce platform.
Conclusion
The project was a success in meeting the immediate needs of the client, providing them with a simple and easy-to-manage website. While there are opportunities to enhance the website in the future, the current iteration fulfills its purpose and offers a solid foundation for future improvements.