Website Launch – unireview.co.uk
I recently launched the website for unireview.co.uk
Well, I say website, it’s more the “template” for the site really. As the website content is going to be on a massive scale I agreed with my client that the best, most cost effective, approach was for him to add the content himself. Thus avoiding the need to pay me for what would effectively be a data entry exercise.
This was made possible by utilizing a Content Management System (CMS) – CushyCMS. Using this online system my client is able to write and publish the reviews of the universities himself.
My job was to design the “template” into which the content would fit, and set-up the CMS.
Screenshots and details of this can be found in my portfolio of published websites.
A longer discussion is detailed below:
Content.
I set about finding an appropriate CMS for my client to use to add content to his website. I have previously used Joomla (which is excellent), but felt this was a bit of “overkill” for this project. I needed a lighter CMS that would allow us to structure the content in a very simple way. After a great deal of research I settled for CushyCMS.
CushyCMS allows complete flexibility of design and structure, and allows me to give access to my client to particular elements/sections on particular pages. This means less “clutter” and a less steep learning curve for my client.
Design.
The client asked me to keep the design as simple as possible. With the level of information that will be available on the website this is definitely the best approach. Too much “design” could detract from the content and make it harder to read and digest. Readability is a key concern for any website, but with this site it is particularly important.
Plenty of clear space and a white background “de-clutter” the area. Black text on a white background gives excellent contrast and readability. It also gives the site an authoritative and reliable feel – almost “official” in appearance. This is an important message to convey given the context of this website.
The only colour is provided by the large red lettering for the website name, and blue title on each page.
Images on web pages are limited to one of the university in question, and a subtle photo in the footer.
Structure.
As was the case with the design considerations for the website, the structure has to be as simple and minimal as possible. Navigation to each page has to be easy and instinctive so that visitors can dive right into the content. Two alphabetical lists shown in the form of a “Jump Menu’s” form the navigation links. One menu for the Universities and one for the Courses. These Jump Menu’s are available on every page.
University and course pages are also cross referenced so that visitors can leap from a University to a page detailing a course that University excels in, to another University page that also performs well in that discipline.
If would like to pay a visit go to www.unireview.co.uk
Let me know what you think.
DA
