Transforming Venture Forward by GoDaddy

Visit Venture Forward to explore my work!

Role

UI Design

OVerview

Venture Forward is a groundbreaking research project that explores the impact of over 20 million online microbusinesses on their local economies. I was tasked with reimagining their website to resemble a news site and creating compelling data visualizations to present their findings effectively.

The Problem

GoDaddy's Venture Forward initiative had a treasure trove of valuable insights about online microbusinesses and their impact on local economies. However, the existing website did not effectively communicate this information. The primary challenges were:

  1. Lack of Engagement: The old website lacked the engaging visual appeal and interactivity needed to capture users' attention and keep them engaged.
  2. Complex Data Presentation: The extensive research data needed to be presented in a user-friendly and comprehensible manner, making it accessible to a wide audience, including policymakers and entrepreneurs.

The solution

To address these challenges and transform Venture Forward into a dynamic, news-like platform, I embarked on the following initiatives:

  1. Modern, News-Inspired UI Design: I worked closely with the design team to create a fresh, contemporary visual identity for the website, taking inspiration from news websites known for their clean layouts and readability. This included choosing a legible typography, implementing a responsive grid system, and selecting a color palette that conveyed trust and authority.
  2. Interactive Data Visualizations: To make the research findings more engaging and understandable, I designed interactive data visualizations. These included interactive charts, graphs, and maps that allowed users to explore the data, filter information, and gain valuable insights intuitively.
  3. User-Centric Navigation: The website's navigation was restructured to make it easy for users to discover and access research reports, articles, and data visualizations. An intuitive menu and search functionality were implemented to enhance user experience.
  4. Responsive Design: Recognizing the importance of mobile users, I ensured that the website was fully responsive, providing a seamless experience across devices.

Testing and Iteration

Throughout the design process, I conducted usability testing with various stakeholders and potential users to gather feedback. This iterative approach allowed us to refine the design, making it more intuitive and user-centric.

The Results

The transformation of Venture Forward's website yielded significant outcomes:

  1. Enhanced Engagement: The new website design, resembling a news site, attracted and retained users, resulting in longer session durations and lower bounce rates.
  2. Improved Data Accessibility: Interactive data visualizations made the research findings accessible to a broader audience, allowing users to explore the data and draw insights easily.
  3. Positive User Feedback: User feedback indicated higher satisfaction with the redesigned website, with users expressing greater ease in navigating the content and comprehending the research data.

Sample of work