Carlton Research conducted an extensive study to enhance the usability and navigation of the Simpson Strong-Tie website. This case study showcases our analytical prowess in identifying and resolving user experience (UX) challenges.
Project Background
Simpson Strong-Tie sought to revamp their website navigation to improve user experience. Carlton Research was tasked with assessing the usability of a new website design prototype.
Research Objectives
- Evaluate the intuitiveness and efficiency of the website’s navigation paths.
- Collect both qualitative and quantitative feedback from users.
- Suggest improvements based on the research findings.
Methodology
The study involved usability testing, user interviews, and surveys with a cross-section of Simpson Strong-Tie’s customer base. Key tasks included:
- Assessing the ease of finding specific items (e.g., local dealers, customer service, product information).
- Measuring the time taken to complete tasks.
- Gathering sentiment scores for each navigation path.
Key Findings
“Thank you for the opportunity to participate in your research. Carisa was amazing.“
Research Participant
- Navigation Efficiency: Most tasks were completed efficiently, but some areas, like finding wedge anchor product information, showed room for improvement.
- User Sentiment: High positive sentiment scores for tasks like finding the video library indicated user satisfaction, while negative scores for finding PDF literature suggested confusion.
- Recommendations: Suggestions included reorganizing certain menu items, renaming confusing labels, and enhancing the visibility of critical navigation paths.
Impact
Implementing the recommendations led to:
- Improved Navigation: Enhanced user experience due to more intuitive and straightforward navigation.
- Increased User Satisfaction: Positive feedback from users post-implementation.
- Cost Efficiency: By identifying issues early in the development process, significant costs associated with redesigns were avoided.
Conclusion
Carlton Research’s comprehensive approach in analyzing and predicting user behavior trends played a crucial role in the successful redesign of Simpson Strong-Tie’s website. This project highlights our expertise in delivering actionable insights that enhance user experience and business outcomes.
“I think the changes you recommended are clear. We could not have organized this research without you. Fantastic job.”
Heiko Frost, Manager UX Research