PROJECT TEAM
Mitch Chalos, Executive Director
Carol Barr, Administrative Manager
Jim Wright, Outreach Coordinator
Larry Reimer, Operations Manager
Nancy Vrabic, Planning/Grants Manager
Kathy Gerdink, Website Developer, Email: [email protected]
Were goals & objectives satisfied?
The primary goals of this site were to provide an introduction to WIETS services, differentiate WIETS from other similar non-profit agencies and for-profit service companies, while also providing a link for information from the forthcoming WIWIB website. These goals have been achieved. Future enhancements and changes should provide for the eventual enhanced functionality desired too.
What is not yet clear, is the functionality of the site for job-seekers, youth and employer clients, since we have not yet gained their evaluations and input. Surveying some of these client-users will be invaluable to determining if the site satisfactorily meets the goals set forth by WIETS. Once the WIWIB site is launched January 1, additional review will need to be undertaken since WIWIB is assumed to be one of the primary sources for finding the WIETS site.
Additionally, not specifically set forth in planning pages for this site is the need for WIETS to create it's own unique identity seperate from other social services' agencies and especially a similarly named state entity. Over time, the site will need to be evaluated and modified.
Page Layout
Many concerns were given concerning page layout, in particular the horizontal scrolling that takes place. This will be corrected by the web designer prior to any launch of the site. The other concerns are regarding uniform spacing of content areas, while the overall flow seemed to meet with approval from the WIETS management team. However, viewing the pages in different browsers and monitor sizes pointed out the errors made in designing the pages, which in turn made it difficult to assess final evaluations based on current visible problems. Overall, the clients like the setup and flow of text areas with custom graphics and photos interspersed throughout. The pages are easy to read and navigate.
Organization & Sequence
Subject areas were categorized with individual tables of contents on each page, as well as the provision of a Site Map specifically requested by WIETS. As a group, prior to design, the team had approved a site structure and organization of content areas.
Content Accuracy
Based on the content provided, it appears well-organized and accurate. Information is organized into logical content areas and provides enough of a general introduction to WIETS while also providing a means for a visitor to the website to find out additional information.
Navigation Links
Navigation seemed intuitive and easy to understand. The homepage does a good job of outlining the subsequent pages and content areas. What is debatable is whether the navigation links seperated at the bottom of the pages will be easily located by visitors to the site. In addition, the partners and links pages provide agencies and resources by name and provide actual website addresses as outside links. It has been noted -and is being changed- is that the names of the resources as well as the website addresses themselves should be active links. Several new links also need to be added while some of the employer pages need to be linked to actual employment pages within corporate jobsites too. Internal site links are loaded inside the same browser frame, while external links will launch in a new browser window. There is a problem linking to the site planning page from the Dreamweaver set up.
High & Low Level
For WIETS, high-level evaluations will probably come from technical employer clients, while low-level evaluations will come from job-seeker clients with fewer technical skills, and less access to the Internet. It remains to be seen if the site has done a good job at accommodating such diverse users, while still retaining their interest. I am hoping to still gain some input from this audience, or perhaps past WIETS clients who might feel more comfortable giving candid responses (also once site aesthetics and code are cleaned up).
Technical Aspects
Technical aspects were given a fair rating with general concerns being given to intial visual problems. When outside web corporate web developers and users were asked to review the site, the general evaluation included concerns for the horizontal scrolling, but gave high marks for simplicity in appearance, ease of navigation and speed in page loading (no movies and few graphics). As for the content and interest, outsiders were unsure since they were more familiar with e-commerce and commercial sites which often included more visual interest, but recognized that these sites often assumed DSL or high speed connections too. HTML coding was considered adequate to the functionality, but designers agreed that the overuse of multiple tables created lengthy code which could/should be reduced.
Overall Evaluation
Evaluations were obtained via email between the site designer and the management team and WIETS. Feedback was solicited on the specific areas noted in our evaluation resources. At this time, we have as yet not received any feedback from the actual primary audience who will be using the site the most.
Overall, the consensus was that the pages were well planned and contained the necessary information to provide ean introduction to WIETS services and programs for employers, job-seekers and youth. Much work still needs to be done to correct size of pages and spacing between content areas. In order to solicit ongoing feedback, we will also add a choice to the Contact WIETS page and fill-in form to include website feedback and ideas. Additional dynamic functions will also need to be added, such as possible forms, applications or job-seeker tools within the site, while WIETS wishes to avoid duplicate content that can be achieved through the use of links. More information, goals and evaluations will be forthcoming in the maintenance plan, including methos for changing the monthly calendar and WIETS Works newsletters (with a possible backlog/index to past issues created).
Evidence of Bobby Report
The following links will demonstrate evidence of the Bobby Report. Common changes that can be undertaken include : confirming ALT tags to all image files (excluding page background on homepage);could internalize all style sheets, but do not wish to alter individual page coding; have insured that font styles and sizes are uniform and easily readable; need to clean up HTML code. Other items mentioned in the report include whether or not color or images are used to communicate critical information, which in this site is not an issue.
Bobby Report: Sample website content page
Evaluation
Disclaimer: WIETS is responsible for content created exclusively for www.WIETS.org and cannot guarantee accuracy of links.