Case+Studies+Findings

=**Case Studies**= // What do the case studies tell us? //

Our **case study** was a study of the [|Nonprofit Recycling Network], which is a website that allows people to list their old equipment/technology on the site, in order for interested companies to contact them. It is almost like a online marketplace for donators and companies or individuals interested in recycling or reusing the technology. The site is a portal for donation listings, so it is basically the same type of website we are trying to create as the final product. In order to create the best portal site possible, we looked at our "competition", to study their pro's and con's.

For an **overview** of the **case study** //results//, please **click** HERE. The **results** of the case study helped us **refine** our //primary// idea in the **following aspects**:

__**Design/Layout of the Site:**__ First impressions are important. The [|Nonprofit Recycling Network] site's **amateur layout and colour palette** certainly did not suggest **credibility**. The ads on the side of the page were distracting because they looked so unprofessional. If the ads were for charities, it would be more appropriate than "Your Ad Here" listings.

Using feedback from our focus group on [|Facebook], **user-friendly navigation** was a huge concern. On the [|Nonprofit Recycling Network]'s home page, //navigation seems fairly straight forward//. The menu is located at the top left of the page, in a list format. However, because it is located in the very corner of the page and not in a column at the side of the page, it //resembles a website announcement or an ad//. To list your technology for donating, it is a bit //unclear// whether you look to the list menu at the site (which is confusingly named Lists and Archives), or the Donate tab at the top menu.

Also, focus group participants were concerned about whether the site was able to **communicate its purpose**. On the [|Nonprofit Recycling Network]page, there is a short paragraph describing their purpose, but there is nothing like a About Us page that further explains the site and its owners, and again, establishes //credibility//.

__**Organizing Site in Categories**__ To search for technology listed for donation, [|Nonprofit Recycling Network] allows you to search [|by location] and to search for participating organizations, you can search [|by charity] (also categorized according to location/state). By allowing people to search for things in close proximity to them, it makes the process **more local**, and you feel like **you're** **helping your own community**. It makes sense to donate, and thus makes sense to organize this way! However, the name of link to these categories, [|Regional Archive Index] and [|Participating Organizations] are **not clear** whether you are searching for places to donate to, or to places where donators are located in.

__** What a Good Website Should Have: **__ Our primary prototype would follow [|Jakob Nielsen's] web usability techniques:

• **Easy Search** - simple search box so the user is able to find the drop-off locations • **Colours will change for visited links** - the user is aware of his/her past and present locations on the website. Efficient navigation • **Scannable text** - subheadings, highlighted words, short paragraphs, a bulleted list, inverted pyramid and a simple writing style will keep the user on our website. • **Should have non-fixed font** - the user is able to resize the text according to their preferences. • **Page title with high search engine** - the user is able to bookmark our website. Tagged words on the homepage will allow the user to search related subjects. • **Avoid advertisements** - avoid blinking and flashing text (animation) because we want the user to stay "sticky" onto our webpage. Make sure that there are no pop-ups that will distract the user from our website. • **Consistency** - the user should know what to expect next while visiting our website so that they feel in control and secure within the site. We want the user to use our website to find drop-off locations and to recycle their cell phones in regular intervals. • **Limited browser windows** - the user should have access to the homepage efficiently so the website loads faster. • **Must answer user’s questions** - the user should receive feedback.

For more information about our case study, please visit our Research Methods or Case Studies page.