St. Charles Public Library Content Strategy Report
This project was created to serve as a content strategy report for the St. Charles Public library. The report aims to update content on their website, meeting user and library needs based on their request for a redesign proposal (RFP). The final report includes recommended content implementations, a redesigned website architecture, wireframes, and future methods the library staff can use to keep their content aligned.
My Contributions:
Analysis of current website and content
Analysis of SEO, metadata, and accessibility of the current website
Creation of content strategy, and future website structure/design
Final report documentation
Project Findings
Discovery
The following issues, identified from the RFP and various content auditing, prove the need for rework of the existing St. Charles Public Library website:
Content missing multiple media formats on a page, it’s all textual and doesn’t engage users
Important information is hidden underneath layers of navigation
Little suggestion areas for further user inspiration, recommendations are minimal as it is mostly objective information
Recommended Solutions
Adding important information to be found easier in navigation
Incorporating a blog area to feature library events and programming
Using staff recommendations to entice patrons to engage more with library materials and services
Adding more images and videos of library patrons at events and using materials
The Process
The process involved an analysis of the current website’s content, SEO, metadata, and accessibility. It also included a review of library and patron needs based on their RFP. Based on this, I used strategic techniques to create an updated content strategy for their future website. I crafted and refined the strategy for future library staff use.
Tools Used: Adobe InDesign, Screaming Frog SEO Spider, WAVE Analysis
Current Website
SEO
The above page title is cut off, which shouldn’t be the case for a home page. It could be better revised without the lengthy address within the page title. The above meta description is average. It does a good job of letting the user know the various functions the website has. It could be improved with a more legible writing structure of introducing the website and its functions in a more conversational format.
Accessibility
St. Charles makes a point to use alt tags for their images. However, 30.86% of them are missing an alt attribution. This percentage is too high for a website with goals of increased accessibility.
Competitive Analysis
This competitive analysis focuses on the main strengths and weaknesses of other library websites similar to the St. Charles Public Library.
Content Design
Content Priorities
Content Model
Information Architecture
Wireframes
Library Next Steps
Content style guidelines were made for future content updates made by the library’s staff. This includes desired tone and voice, content examples, and web-writing best practices. They were also given specific metrics to measure the success of the strategy, including news/program signups, mobile app downloads, and website unique visitors. I established the roles and responsibilities of the desired content strategy team and mapped out the process for future content creation.