The redesigned Goodwill Grand Rapids website will use a simple navigation system so the audience, regardless of computer competency, will be able to see the portals and options immediately upon entry to the site. The navigation bar runs along the top of the screen on every page consistently with slight changes to indicate the section of the site: know, shop, donate, join, and hire Goodwill.
This navigation bar accomplishes several goals: it allows the user to know the name of the website, it creates consistency throughout the site, it shows where the user is in the site, it provides easy access to other parts of the site. The phrase, "changing lives through the power of work" is constant and conveys the spirit of the organization. To the left of this, the heading changes to indicate the user's location in the site.
Submenus
Within the site, there are several menus in addition to the menu on the homepage. These subheadings allow the user addition information on the individual pages and act as guide posts for the user throughout his or her exploration through the site.
Structure
Within the site, there are several menus in addition to the menu on the homepage. These subheadings allow the user addition information on the individual pages and act as guide posts for the user throughout his or her exploration through the site. Most of these categories are the same as the categories used in the original website, but one was changed to keep the headings consistent. Also, most of the pages remain under the same submenu, but some were moved into places that seemed more appropriate.
Content
The content of the original Goodwill website was, for the most part, adequate. The site uses language that is appropriate and friendly. To improve upon this, I changed the viewpoint of some of the pages in the Join Goodwill section to be targeted to the reader. The other sections were directed at the audience it was addressing, for example the Hire Goodwill section speaks to businesspeople who are considering hiring Goodwill graduates and work crews. I felt that it was important for the Join Goodwill section to speak to community members looking for assistance from the Goodwill organization.
The other major change to the content of the site is related to the images. The images on the original Goodwill site were outdated and needed to be changed. Upon request, the organization sent a few images that they wanted used in the website and I integrated these images throughout the site. Smiling faces and diverse workers are on many pages of the site. This gives variety to the pages and reflects the image of Goodwill to users.
