Project V Part A: Conceptual Analysis

Introduction:

Project V is a site for a branch of the Goodwill based out of Grand Rapids that serves the community of Kent County. The Goodwill is dedicated to assisting people with disabilities or other barriers that confine their true potential. The purpose is to help people with disabilities and barriers realize their full employment potential, while being self-reliant, self-supportive and becoming contributing members of the community.

The Goodwill utilizes the expertises that have been the basic foundation for the company for nearly 100 years, helping people excel in today’s competitive job market. Goodwill’s objective is to develop a vocational plan that fulfills that consists of appropriate training, while offering secure job opportunities the provide wages and benefits that help accomplish every employees personal and professional goals.

Goodwill’s basic services include:

• Individual Assessment
• Career Awareness
• Occupational Skills Training
• Job Seeking Skills
• Employment Services
• Life Skills Training
• Mentoring, Placement and Retention Services

General Purpose of the Website:

• Provide internet access to people within the Grand Rapids community who are interested in the many different services that the Goodwill offers.
• Present an easy way to access information for people within the community that have specific questions about the services the Goodwill provides.
• Educate our visitors with complete detail about the bases of our company and what we strive to do within the community.
• Market the Goodwill in a way that shows its ability to excel in every aspect that they offer.

Attended Audience:

• Individuals from all walks of life with little education to higher education.
• People with disabilities seeking employment within Goodwill Inc.
• Companies or individuals who are interested in helping the community by donating to the Goodwill.
• Individuals interested in the basic functions the Goodwill provides.
• Companies of individuals looking for our services in specific fields.
• Individuals looking for information about our store and there locations.

Project V Part B: Content Analysis:

Introduction:

The current website for The Goodwill of the greater Grand Rapids is a good start for a basic site layout. However, several changes need to take place for it to be a more effective site that helps the user move more quickly through the site.

Texts and Graphics:

Much of the text within the website will need to be rewritten in a shorter more objective manner. It is too long and descriptive. Also, the subcategories on the site are non-descriptive. A basic description of these subcategories is needed for a better understanding of how to navigate and where to go.

The photos currently posted on the site work well with the basic message being relayed and go good with the attended audience. The photos offer a friendly, personal touch, which is the message the organization is trying to relay. The photos will however, need to be recreated in fireworks for better use and placement of the photos. The blank space on the current website takes away from the ultimate experience that Goodwill is trying to provide. A more compressed website with less blank space will allow users to maneuver more effectively throughout the site; which will add a professional character along with making it simple to navigate.

Information to be created:

A more comfortable layout of the website is needed that allows for easier surfing while visiting the site. Much of the information provided within the website does well with the purpose and goals that the Goodwill strives for. I don’t feel there is much here to recreate besides the text and the basic layout of the site.

C. Web Structure, Content, and Interface Design

The site is now more navigational. There is a navigation bar at the top of each page. Every link the surfer clicks on, gives them options under the bar that will help them to find the links more easily. The home page is easier to navigate and the surfer will be able to see the pictures on the page while still being able to see the navigation bar at the top of the screen. The links are highlighted with three colors showing link, visited link or if the surfer is hovering over a link this makes it easier for the user to know where they have been or would like to go. I kept the logos along with the colors, blue, white and green, to keep the familiar look of the Goodwill organization.

D. Development Information

I left the color scheme the same as the original Goodwill website. Much of the text have stayed the same with maybe a couple minor revisions, however I did use the same logo of the original Goodwill website. This website is a working process and needs to be updated such things as new releases, job openings and calendar events. Many of the pictures need to be updated also. I used many of the pictures for the original website, however those pictures need to be replaced.

E. Web Promotion and Maintenance

This website should be updated at least bi- weekly to keep information up to date. Keeping up a website is not very labor intensive, howeve,r It does ask for small tedious jobs that will take time.