Stowe Trails Partnership Site Redesign
STP is a local 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to partner with the community to build, maintain, and promote access to a diverse trail network that brings joy to all outdoor enthusiasts. I have served on the board of directors since 2014.
Stowe Mountain Bike Club website before redesign
Formed initially as the Stowe Mountain Bike Club, STP underwent a rebrand to be more inclusive to all trail users. It was unanimous that a new website be part of the launch - the old site was created on a shoestring budget with the help of several volunteers and while functional, it had outlived its usefulness. Over the course of a few years, it had become a messy jumble of information that was difficult to navigate and had a very slow load time.
Redesign Process
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Discovery & Research
Facilitated working sessions with multiple stakeholders to determine the overall vision for the new site.
Conducted interviews across different user groups to identify pain points with the current site, understand content needs and potential hierarchy.
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Analysis & Architecture
Reviewed over 50 sites from comparable organizations nationwide to serve as benchmarks for redesign.
Based on findings, updated site architecture to be more streamlined and with a more fluent user experience.
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Design
Hand-drawn sketches and quick wireframes were validated and approved by STP’s internal committee.
High-fidelity wireframes created in Sketch were provided to a local developer for the final build in WordPress.
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“Become a Member” was ranked internally as the highest content priority, followed closely by calls for donations and volunteers. The membership button is now a static element across every page hero. Icons were created for the other commonly requested access points and live on a banner on every page.
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Data and user research showed that trail condition information was a high priority. A widget is prominently placed on the home page and updates in real-time with current trail openings and closures.
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As a primarily volunteer-run organization, STP relies on its members to provide information regarding issues on trails. These had previously been shared by text, email, and other means. Providing a standardized method of communication just for trail issues was also prioritized and now lives on the home page.