Photo by: Michael Furman
DU launched a redesigned Web site on the first day of school with a look aimed at attracting potential students and with a host of glitches that were cleared up during the week.
The glitches related to denied access to Web mail, problem with a security certificate for the site and delayed in updates on class rosters.The site features a new navigation structure and changes content organization.
The changes made to www.du.edu were based on research and user testing done in 2008 by University Technology Services (UTS) Web Technology and in 2009 by Malenke Barnhart, an interactive marketing agency which worked with university staff in deciding the new content and look.
According to Yvonne Carlson, director of web technologies at UTS and the project manager for the new site, DU wanted to put the focus on “information architecture” and a “fresh, new and different design.”
One of the main problems identified in testing was that prospective students had a difficult time finding necessary information on the old Web site, Carlson said. Because of this, the new home and top-level pages link to those containing tuition cost, degree programs, student-life information and application procedures more quickly and efficiently than the prior site design.
For the first time, parents and alumni have their own sections, which currently include information on Homecoming and Parent’s Weekend. The student, faculty and staff pages have one-click access to commonly used online tools such as Web Central, Blackboard and Webmail.
Students are also given links to follow the DU network on social sites like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter to keep updated on the highlights of breaking news around campus.
Users are encouraged to submit their comments and suggestions concerning navigation, organization, layout and anything else by using the feedback form located under the “Contacts & Directions” link located at the bottom of the homepage.
Members of the DU community should expect more changes in the coming months as data is collected on how the site is used, and feedback and user testing are taken into further consideration.
Although there are a “few broken links here and there,” the feedback that Carlson and her team have received has been “more positive than negative,” she says.
