Government Agency Home Page Wireframe

Hi Rachel,

For a change I decided to make a wireframe on a napkin so I don't have to write 1000 words :)

I wanted to improve usability. It's not perfect. Just something I could do in 20 minutes.

If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Cheers! Michael

Hello,

Short comment from me this time - why not unify the blog and news? Organizations usually have a hard time keeping one up to date - splitting them into two will mean even more work and their purpose is essentially the same.

Overall I'm happy to see some wireframes on Concept Feedback. A great approach to lay out the content and establish a strategy before design begins. I also added some notes about the footer.

Hey Rachel,

Finally a wireframe on CF! So excited! I'm also discovering CF notes for the first time ... lazy me :)

Overall it's a classic. I understand it should be, it's a goverment agency. I would advise to take a look here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/

Cheers,

Zeno.

Rachel, I am gather that this is more of a schematic than a layout (as in this is to show basic hierarchy and general layout, but not exact proportions and design)

It might help at this point to put up a site map, I think it will help people get a better understanding of the site. I am also interested to know more details of the goals of the site.

Anyways, here is my overall feedback:

This site needs an H1, I am guessing that the welcome to the new online home is a featured article (and I think that the h1 shouldn't go there, you wouldn't want the h1 to be hidden, and that would be a great place to display more current information on page load), that will eventually change out. The h1 doesn't have to be very prominent, but it should be above the fold. I also think the h1 would be very helpful in explaining what your organization does. This h1 is also one of the most important things to include for good SEO.

One thing that confuses me with the site is why there is a different top level navigation in the footer than in the main nav in the header. Are those items with the nav at the top? If so, I have no clue where.

As I said before, without a top level nav, I don't have a holistic view of the site, but from what I see I think you might want to consider adding a second tier of navigation in the main nav. Look at some bigger sites (NY Mag does a great job with this). From what I see, the site is huge, and it would help the user understand what is in the site by breaking it up a bit, but you should be able to get anywhere in the site from the main nav.

One thing I really like about the site is that you have really started to think about how to consolidate information and make your site as concise as possible. Using related links in the section header is always a smart move for a busy homepage.

I also really like the callouts to the right of the slide show. That gives a great option to have unhidden content that can be prominent and relevant. Compared to the slideshow that helps build the organization's brand.

Overall, I like where the site is going, and would be interested to see how this progresses.

Good luck!

Sites that are forced to cater to a bi-lingual population always put the language link somewhere at the top of the page, if they don't have a separate search-able URL for it like yahoo does.

Examples of this are: www.westernunion.com (on the top right there is a language button)

www.foodlion.com (language link is on the top left)

www.irs.gov

www.liveunited.org (United Way)

I would also consider switching the position of the Recent Blog Posts box with the Upcoming events box. I always notice things on the left hand side of a page first, and to me, I would rather notice actual upcoming events before someone's personal thought about said events.

The Connect with us box is fantastic and in just the right place.

I love the way you are headed with this design. I think that its somewhat not as original but I know its not yet a graphic design.

There isn't much to me that you would have to actually change in the layout of the website. The blog is right near the news section which is a great idea and the calendar is also on the same level and nothing looks bigger than the other besides in width but that is understandable.

Nice idea of placing the search bar at the very top of the website. It seems like it would be a major help for many that come to find information faster than with the constant hassle of going through the links.

Hi.

The wireframe is too solid and complicated.

Hhere are couple of points you should consider: 1. you have too much purple in there, try to add another color and reduce the use of the purple 2. In my opinion there are too much columns in each place. 3. There is too much space between the logo and the search. 4. Align your elements.

Good luck, Adam. Nice wireframe.

Hi Rachel, I think your wireframe is solid and serves the purpose. I like how most things are in their "usual" location - search bar on the top right, logo on the top left. For a government agency page, there's really no room for unusual design, and I think you did a great job making things easy to find for a general user.

I might however consider switching the "Recent Blog Posts" box and the "News" box. I think having the larger column in the middle might make it more visually balanced. I think people are more likely to read both the "News" and "Upcoming Events" if they're not side by side.

The only thing that looks out of place is the pagination on the javascript slider. I'd left align it or push it all the way to the right and hover it over the image. But that is just preference. Otherwise it's looking great. I like the double footer! You've displayed a ton of information in a very organized manner. Great work!

Can't wait to see a subpage!

I didnt liked the color scheme at all.The designer should be more creative and use some good looking colors. I think designer didnt worked more on Typography and color scheme.Layout is just ok.

I think this is a pretty good start to a nicely organised website. I do have a few comments though

1) I am not sure why there is a blog AND a news category. I think I'd combine them into one

2) I'd spend some time tweaking the grid. The columns in the left hand part of the footer look a bit off, try to keep them consistent.

3) The padding should be more consistent all round. I appeciate this is a wireframe so this will probably be tidied up on the actual mockup.

4) Not sure about the links to the left of the featured area. A bit more refinement would work well there (do the buttons need headings as well?)

5) I agree with Brian, I would move the pagination to the left of the featured content.

Definitely a good start though. Interested in seeing the full version mocked up later :)

I feel that the website looks very cluttered and full of stuff. I'd add more breathing room by removing some of the elements.

Wow. This site is a doosy, lots of info to convery and you did a wonderful job of organizing it. My biggest comment is to increase the banner image. This site is so bogged down in info i think it will make a huge difference in user interaction to give some more real estate to the rotating image.

Well done on everything else, looking forward to see the design!

When showing wireframes, and especially if it's just to show layout and structure avoild putting any colour on it at all. The first thing people notice is the colour and they end up commenting on that rather what you want them to comment on - which is the layout. I quite like the layout of your design, it uses a strong grid structure, information is where I would expect to find it and it looks clean and well organised. I can understand why you've kept the blog posts and news stories separate, the only point I'd make is if you want the news stories to be noticed first move that block to the left. Also agree with Brian, the javascript slider numbers either need to be left aligned or sit on top of the image. But great start, good luck with it!

It is quite a bit bland. You need to mix it up a bit with the colors. I like the grid layout, but this is just too hard on the eyes.

COngratulations !