Redesigned a counseling website to improve visuals, user experience, and navigation, aligning with a professional image and the Balance You brand identity.
UI/UX + Product Design
Balance You - Counseling + Wellness
3 weeks, September - October 2024
Figma, Illustrator, After Effect, Premiere Pro
Savannah Martha DiPaola, Founder and owner of Balance You, Counseling and Wellness reached out to discuss a revamped website including branding of the business. Savannah who has in the recent year, been active in promoting the business through attending networking events, talked in LEX18 morning tv and has a plan in the future to employ more therapist for the company, Savannah has also has been asked to join TEDtalks, which she would gladly be doing in the future, but a pain point for herself is her website, which she express feels not selling, dull and not updated.
Savannah is concerned about the lack of appeal and professionalism on her website. She wants to make it more engaging and polished to better reflect both the company and her role as a counselor. Additionally, Savannah wants to hold more lectures and speak more about mental health, so she needs a website that is more professional and aligns better with the Balance You brand.
A polished, professional website that showcases Savannah’s work as a counselor and the Balance You business. Visitors should feel its authenticity through the content and be encouraged to get in touch. The website is easy to navigate, with easy access to contact via form, call, or email. It is also responsive and accessible on both desktop and mobile devices.
Savannah specializes in Millennials and Gen Z, with an overall audience age group of 18-55 years old. Both current and future clients are of all genders, mostly students, nurses, and teachers. On the previous website, client contact is primarily through calling or emailing, though clients also occasionally reach out via social media and text messages.
By applying Google Analytics to the previous website, we were able to gather more information about the visitors, including their locations and the types of devices they are using. From different days and times, two samples indicate that half of the users are accessing the website via mobile devices.
As the old website already existed, I had a foundation to work from. However, it wasn't responsive for mobile devices and required additional content. By structuring all the content in a mobile wireframe, I could more clear see the process, ensuring a seamless transition to a responsive design with optimized images. Since the target group – Millennials and Gen Z – primarily use mobile devices, designing with mobile as the focus was essential.
Once content and information were added to the website, it was time for the first usability tests! The clickable prototype helped me identify the users' pain points and uncertainties. Through the user flows, I was able to adjust design elements, such as adding bigger buttons and ensuring consistency throughout the entire website.
The overall design decisions for the website focus on maximizing whitespace and establishing clear hierarchy through headings and visual elements. Even small details, such as using favicons, are essential for enhancing the overall user experience.
Old header
New header
The old header was center-aligned, but for the new website, we will create more space between the logo on the left and the menu on the right by shifting the menu further over. The new menu will have fewer options by combining the "Services" and "Fees" pages, creating space for a dedicated contact page.
Also, by simplifying the wording of choices, users will be able to make decisions faster, resulting in a more streamlined and pleasant user experience (Hick’s law).
Old header
New header
A key element of any website is storytelling. As a UX designer, I love to evoke emotions and engage the senses—beyond what can be directly experienced on a webpage. Through visual design, we can influence how the brain interprets and connects with the content. For Savannah's website, I used images and videos that evoke themes of spirituality, nature, power, and happiness. The final design creates a warm, inviting experience that gives visitors with a positive feeling.
Within the first week, Savannah received positive feedback and the first inquiries through the contact form on the website – something that truly warms me as a UX designer! It's rewarding to see how my work in design and design thinking has made an impact. Happy client, happy designer!
Check out the revamped website of Balance You here.
