Project Overview
Build a responsive Website for the Lock Docs Notary. In which, customers can access from any device whether it be desktop, tablet or mobile device.
Problem Statement:
Lock Docs Notary needs a website on which clients can go to find information about services and contact notary for appointments.
The Goal:
Design a responsive website that would include easy access to service information.
Role and Responsibilities
Carey Twiddy – UX/ UI Designer
Brand Development
Information Architecture
User Research
Theme Research
Accessibility Research
Visual Design
Needs and Recommendations
Client vs. Designer
Client Needs:
- Disclaimer on all pages
- Pages for service information
- A way for clients to contact for services
- The theme needs to be able to grow with the business
- Eventually like to add testimonials
- Eventually like to add a scheduling app for online scheduling
- Eventually be able to take payments online
Designer Recommendations:
- Website must be responsive to all devices including mobile, tablet and desktop
- Disclaimer needs to be displayed in the footer of the website- this guarantees that it is visible on all pages
- Finding a theme that has what client is looking for but also the look and feel is more towards the business side and not that of a legal office
Information Architecture
The overall sitemap is very simple. This is just the first part of the project; the client would like to expand on building and growing his business.
The site needs to be navigable from not just a menu in header, but also from the footer.
The client has also stated that there needs to be a disclaimer on each page due to the fact he can not give legal advice. This problem was solved by putting the disclaimer in the footer.
As part of the ongoing project the client would like to add testimonials, the ability for customers to schedule appointments, and add more services.
Understanding the User
My client helped me with my research. Most notaries cannot leave their places of business or take payment unless they in their place of business. My client on the other hand is a mobile notary. The ability to be able to come to a customer’s hospital room, a family’s home, or even another business is valuable.
When most think of notaries the thought goes directly to places such as UPS, FedEx, or even notaries with storefronts of their own, where there are persons who will notarize documents within the storefront. The problem is these notaries cannot leave their business; they cannot come to you if you need a document taken care of right at another location.
Personas and User Journeys
Pain Points
01
Most notaries do not travel. They will not come to you; you have to go to them. Think of UPS stores where they have a notary in store.
02
UPS locations have limited types of documents that they can notarize.
03
Online platforms like Trust & Will do not have clients dealing with an actual person. You are filling out a form and entering data that someone may review for you to authorize.
Themes for Consideration
Theme 1: Advocate Lite
The client liked the responsive website and potential colors. Though the theme read too much towards lawyer and legal, as well as there was not a lot of choice for page patterns. This theme seemed like with its limited choices was not a good fit for a growing business.
Theme 2: Portia
Client liked the responsive website and potential colors. This theme also had some more choices when it came to patterns for different types of pages. Though the theme read too much towards lawyer and legal.
Theme 3: Osom Business
Client liked the responsive website and the choice of potential colors. This theme had so many more choices when it came to patterns for different types of pages. The theme was more directed towards business and not legal. The client loved that there was testimonials already included in the patterns and other style variations.
Theme Choice
Osom Business
This theme became the final choice. The number of patterns available like testimonials, different color palette choices, and the theme is more towards being able to grow his business.
Accessibility Considerations
What WordPress already has built in:
- Keyboard Navigation
- Controls
- Skip Links
- Forms
- Headings
- ARIA Landmark Roles
- Content Links
- Repetitive Link Test
- Contrasts
- Images, including Icons
- Media
- Screen Reader Text
- Not Allowed
What needs to be added:
01
ALT text needs to be added to all images on Lock Docs Notary website.
Takeaways
Impact:
Customers really like how easy it is to find information on the website. A customer of my client said that the website was easy to navigate and that the information found was informative for him to engage my client.
What I Learned:
- That every theme in WordPress is different. From creating menus to how the developers arrange how to put the theme together.
- The information architecture was very important from the start. I felt that if I could not understand where to find information my User would not either.
- Arranging content (text, images) in a way that it makes sense to the User.
- Testing pages and content on different screen sizes for readability.
- What WordPress already has built into their themes for accessability and what I need to add in order for the theme to fully accessable for all Users.
Next Steps
01
Addition of other services as client works toward other certifications.
02
Addition customer of testimonials.
03
Client would like to have a digital appointment book; this way his customers could make appointments with him through online scheduler.
Please find link to Presentation here: Lock Docs Notary Website Presentation
If you would like to contact me about your project, please go through my Contact Page
