Measurement Overview

The prototype usability testing assessed the adjusted navigational paths and new website designs for the consolidated Admissions website.

  • Users were able to locate accurate audience-based information quickly, using the simplified design. A stark comparison to the previous, multiple websites for Admissions.

  • New prototype design and navigation options provide an appealing, welcoming and functional experience for key audiences.

  • There are opportunities for improvements to specific navigation labels and content to provide clarity and direction to users. 

  • Design, content and navigation all received > 4.5 out of 5 user satisfaction ratings.

VIEW: NEW ADMISSIONS WEBSITE

Results: Through combining the admit types into one website, with an audience selector it streamlined the content and made for a more streamlined user journey.

USABILITY TESTING FINDINGS

KEY FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS

User research provided a thorough examination of the user’s perspective, helping us to understand the audience’s goals they want to accomplish and what tasks they need to accomplish.

  1. Consider combining or more closely associating First-Year Students and College Credit Plus. (Homepage)

  2. Utilize the tab-based selector on the home page to encourage users to self-select their admit type. (Homepage)

  3. Improve display, filtering, performance, and search functionality for Majors & Degrees section. (Majors & Degrees)

  4. Consider placing Cost of Attendance in a more prominent position on Cost & Aid page. (Cost & Aid)

  5. Improve naming and descriptions of Tours & Events to differentiate from one another. (Visit Campus)

  6. Change or adjust label for Why Kent State, depending on intent of content. (Why Kent State?)

  7. Consider giving multiple options for Requesting Information, such as email or text message. (Request Information)

  8. Consider label change for Admissions Guidelines. Ensure Apply Now links to application, while “Guidelines” link to application steps. (Apply to Kent State)

  9. Use a different label for “Undergraduate Admissions” in the footer. (Home Page)

  10. Place Find Your Admissions Counselor as a default item on home page and links throughout website. (Find Your Counselor)

PARTICIPANT RATINGS

  • Design = 4.7/5

  • Content = 4.6/5

  • Navigation = 4.5/5

OVERALL RESULTS

Distinctive Advances

  • Unifying several websites into one, allowing the student or parent to choose their “student type” from the home page, which would provide the most relevant information on subsequent pages through their journey.

  • Dynamic modules that show relevant content per audience.

  • An easier to understand admissions guidelines section and path to applying.

  • A new search tool for finding a student's admissions counselor.

NEXT STEPS

The recommendations were then integrated within the content strategy and development phases of the remaining project.

A dynamic DataStudio report was generated in order to measure the site’s analytics and performance. Due to the fact the structure changed vastly it was not a 1:1 data analysis; therefore, manual comparison data tables were generated to provide admissions with insights.

Weekly meetings with stakeholders took place after the initial launch, followed by monthly meetings.

Future testing is recommended.