YLD.io Website Revamp
Background
YLD is a consultancy offering software engineering, digital product design, and data science services. Their mission is to deliver digital solutions that stand the test of time, empowering businesses to evolve. However, the existing website no longer represented this forward-thinking approach.
The Challenge
YLD’s existing website was struggling with several key issues that hindered its effectivenes and failing to represent the company’s core values and modern approach. The design did not align with the brand’s innovative identity. The navigation was overly complex, cluttered with unnecessary content and outdated elements that made it difficult for users to find relevant information quickly, impacting user experience. The content management system was inefficient, making it difficult for the team in charge to update content and maintain consistency. Together, these challenges were preventing YLD from attracting and retaining clients, recruiting top talent, and effectively communicating its brand message. A comprehensive redesign was necessary to address these issues and better align the website with YLD's vision and goals.
My contribution
In the redesign of YLD.io's website, my role as the sole designer and developer involved taking a strategic, user-centered approach throughout the process. Here’s a breakdown of my approach and the steps I followed:
1.In-Depth Research, competitor analysis and Discovery
I began by conducting a thorough analysis to understand the current challenges and the market context. This included:
Stakeholder Interview
I engaged with key members of various departments to gather insights into their needs, pain points, and business goals.
Competitor Analysis:
I studied over 30 competitor websites to identify industry best practices and opportunities for differentiation.
UX/UI Audit:
I performed a comprehensive audit of the existing site to pinpoint usability issues, design inconsistencies, and areas for improvement.
2. Design & Ideation
With the challenges identified, I developed a structured action plan to address them during the design phase:
Planning Solutions:
I mapped out how to resolve key issues, such as improving navigation, simplifying the sitemap, and aligning the visual design with YLD’s brand identity. This plan guided the design process, ensuring all decisions tackled specific user and business needs.
Wireframes and Visual Design:
I created detailed wireframes in Figma to explore layout options and user flows, refining them through stakeholder feedback. This iterative approach ensured all key decisions were well-informed and aligned with both user needs and business goals Once finalised, I translated these into high-fidelity designs, emphasizing clean visuals, human-centered elements, and cohesive branding to resonate with YLD’s mission and values.
3.Website design and development with Webflow:
For this project, I led the end-to-end creation of a website using Webflow, a powerful no-code platform that accelerates development time and reduces costs. My approach focused on delivering functionality, accessibility, and regulatory compliance, with the following key achievements:
Responsive Design and Enhanced User Experience
I implemented a fully responsive design to ensure a seamless experience across all devices, adapting effortlessly to different screen sizes and resolutions. Additionally, I integrated dynamic animations to provide a more engaging and satisfying user experience.
Custom Components and Animations
To achieve a unique design, I created custom components that extended Webflow’s native capabilities, using code to add tailored functionality and interactions. I also incorporated dynamic animations to enhance user engagement and create a more modern, polished experience.
External Platform Integrations
The project included seamless integrations with external platforms, such as Google Analytics, to provide in-depth insights into user behaviour and improve data-driven decision-making.
GDPR-Compliant Cookie Management
To meet strict European data protection standards, I implemented a GDPR-compliant cookie management system. This ensured that users could customise their data preferences transparently and securely.
4. Design Handover
One of the primary objectives was for the marketing team to be able to manage and update the website independently, so they were provided with a comprehensive handover package designed to empower them and ensure autonomy.
Webflow Training:
Step-by-step guidance on using Webflow’s design and developer modes to make layout adjustments and manage content.
CMS Management Guide:
Instructions on how to add or edit blog posts, update images, and manage collections within the Webflow CMS.
Best Practices:
Tips for maintaining design consistency, creating new pages, and optimizing content for performance and scalability.
Custom Component Use:
Documentation on managing and editing the custom components I built using code for unique functionality.
Deliverables
The YLD website redesign delivered a fully responsive and modern platform that aligned with the brand’s identity. Key achievements included a functional CMS in Webflow, empowering the marketing team to update content independently, and custom components developed with code for a unique design. Collaborating with developers, we integrated tools like Google Analytics and Greenhouse, enhancing functionality and streamlining workflows. The project’s comprehensive approach ensured a scalable, user-friendly website that supports YLD’s long-term growth.
Reflections on the Process: Key Takeaways from This Project
This project highlighted the challenges of aligning business objectives with user needs to create a truly impactful solution. It required addressing complex problems through collaborative feedback and a user-centered approach, ensuring that every decision was guided by insights from research and stakeholder input. Overcoming technical limitations, underscored the importance of flexibility and creative problem-solving to achieve a unique and scalable design.Ultimately, the experience reinforced the value of iterative processes, clear communication, and prioritizing long-term usability, resulting in a redesigned website that not only serves its users effectively but also strengthens the brand's identity.
Want to work together?
If you like what you see and want to work together, get in touch!
irene.av.designer@gmail.com
