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winchesterlk
Web Designer
Year:
2023
Technology:
Wordpress, Photoshop
Categories:
Web Design, UI/UX Design
Time
2 Weeks
Project Overview
The primary objective of creating the WinchesterLK hotel website was to enhance the hotel’s online presence, streamline the booking process, and provide comprehensive information to potential guests. The target audience included tourists, business travelers, and event planners looking for accommodations in the Nuwaraeliya City.
My Role
Technology Used
As the lead UI/UX designer and developer, I was responsible for the entire project from conception to deployment.
- WordPress: For content management and website building.
- WordPress Plugins: For additional functionality such as booking systems and galleries.
- JavaScript, CSS, HTML5: For custom features and styling.
- Bootstrap: For responsive design.
Goal
- Improve the online booking rates by providing an easy-to-use booking system.
- Enhance the overall user experience with a modern and intuitive design.
- Provide comprehensive and detailed information about the hotel’s rooms, amenities, and services.
- Improve the website’s loading speed and performance.
Problem Statement
The hotel’s outdated website had confusing navigation, an unattractive design, and an inefficient, error-prone booking system. It lacked detailed information about offerings and local attractions, and had slow loading times and poor mobile responsiveness. These issues called for a complete redesign to improve user experience, streamline bookings, and enhance performance.
Design Process
User Research
User research revealed that users wanted a simple and fast booking process. They emphasized the need for clear and comprehensive information about rooms and amenities. Additionally, a responsive design that worked well on both desktops and mobile devices was critical to meet their needs.
Simple and Fast Booking Process:
Users prioritized a streamlined and efficient booking experience.
Comprehensive Information:
Clear and detailed descriptions of rooms, amenities, and services were essential for users to make informed decisions and feel confident in their choices.
Responsive Design:
The website needed to function seamlessly on both desktops and mobile devices, ensuring a consistent and user-friendly experience across all devices.
User-Friendly Navigation:
Easy-to-use navigation was crucial for a positive user experience, allowing users to quickly find the information they needed without frustration.
Added Features and Functionality
Flipbook
Implemented Flipbook Plugin to showcase company brochures and documents in an interactive format.
Job Search
Integrated Job Search Plugin to facilitate easy job searching and application process for potential candidates.
Challenges and Solutions
Broken Links and Navigation
Conducted a thorough site audit to identify and fix broken links. Revamped navigation structure for better usability.
Graphics and Icons
Refreshed graphics and icons to modernize the website's look and feel while maintaining brand consistency.
Page Loading Issues
Optimized website performance by implementing caching and optimizing images to reduce page loading times.
Plugin Integration
Addressed compatibility issues and conflicts during plugin integration by thorough testing and troubleshooting.
Testing
Conducted extensive testing to ensure the website’s functionality, responsiveness, and performance across various devices and browsers. Utilized usability testing methods, including unmoderated testing, to evaluate the redesigned system from the user’s perspective, gathering feedback on navigation, clarity of information, and overall user experience. Deployed the redesigned website with careful consideration for hosting and maintenance, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance.
User testing unmoderated
Allowed participants to interact with the redesigned website independently and without direct supervision, enabling a larger number of participants to provide feedback at their convenience.
Results and Impact
- Improved user experience with enhanced navigation and visual design.
- Increased user engagement and interaction with the addition of interactive Flipbook and Job Search features.
Future Plans
Ongoing maintenance and updates to ensure the website remains optimized and aligned with evolving user needs and technology trends.
What I Learned
Through this project, I learned the importance of user-centric design, seamless feature integration, performance optimization, and the need for ongoing maintenance to keep the website aligned with evolving user needs and trends.