The current goodwillgr.org site is a good beginning for a completed site. In order to make this an effective, professional website, several changes need to occur to make sure the audience can use this site simply and quickly.

Images

Images are an important aspect of Goodwill’s site because they add a friendly, personal feel to the organization. Unfortunately, the pictures presently on the site cannot be used and must be replaced. Goodwill would like the redesign to include stock images that they supply in an effective way. Smiling faces, a diverse group, regular people, and hard working individuals encapsulate the type of image that Goodwill is trying to portray through this site. These types of pictures will bring the text to life.

Use of Space and General Layout

In addition to images, the use of space could be improved upon and the site can be compressed into a more streamlined design. Smaller menus, logos, and white spaces are necessary to compress the design and minimize scrolling. A consistency in the layout is in place, and this should be duplicated in the redesign to keep the site cohesive. An aligned, smaller, crisply detailed site will not only make it look better, it will add a professional feel to the site as a whole.

Text and Font

The text being used is direct and purposeful and will fit well with the professional look, but additional information is needed to guide the user through the site and explain the divisions the site currently has. The subcategories in place are not consistent and must be reworded to make sense logically and create consistency. To accommodate the user, the site will now be more action-oriented. Active verbs and the personal “you” will be integrated into the text to include the user in the conversation. The text type itself will be more consistent and in an easy to read san-serif font. This will make it look like a technologically advanced site that is more than just words printed on a piece of paper then copied to the computer screen.

Conclusion

With these improvements, the user should be able to navigate the goodwillgr.org site more effectively and have a more enjoyable experience with it. By streamlining it and creating consistency, these additions will improve the usability of Goodwill’s current site.