Client
sports coach UK
The Job
Coachwise was chosen by sports coach UK to lead on the redevelopment of its website. The new site needed to meet the following goals:
- maximise user experience
- demonstrate the impact of sports coach UK
- comply with DDA guidelines
- be optimised for search engines
- utilise a user-friendly content management system (CMS).
The Solution
Working with sports coach UK, the Coachwise web team led on the implementation and management of the project from the early stages of reviewing, planning and usability testing through to content development, rigorous user acceptance testing and finally to launch.
The broad readership of the website was an initial challenge; how do we address the needs of all levels of coaches from those who are starting out to those who work with elite athletes, as well as those who develop coaches.
We approached this challenge by considering our users and getting them involved in the process. We created user personas and applied the methods of card sorting and user testing in order to better understand the audience requirements. This led us to the concept of splitting the website into two distinct sections: one area for coaches and one for those that develop coaches, enabling sports coach UK to reach the two main audiences with the relevant information they require.
Another challenge was how to present the wealth of resources sports coach UK wanted to get out to coaches and coach developers. The result was the “Resource Bank”: a repository for useful coaching resources including coaching tips, guidance, research, publications, workshops, and more. Our user testing helped to inform this development. It reminded us how different people use different means to navigate around websites and so this section offers two access routes: straight into the downloadable content via the search facility or by browsing subject pages. Once users have sourced what they are looking for, they can bank up their found resources into “My Folder”, which basically works in a similar way to an ecommerce basket. It allows them to save their selected resources to download in a compressed format at a later date.
Our user testing also informed our approach to the design and content of the site. We discovered that our audience were visually orientated. Our aim then was to keep copy to a minimum and include more image/video content. Our images were selected to reflect the inspirational aspect of sports coaching.
A lot of thought was put into the homepage design. It’s a diving board to the rest of the site, offering various routes into the inner pages to accommodate the different types of visitors. It not only functions as a way to entice users to delve further but also tries to mirror the energy and enthusiasm that coaches have for their roles by using big inspiring images and motivational headlines.
Stats on the usage of the former website revealed a high percentage of users who visit specifically for searching for jobs or workshops, so we have made it easier to get straight to those sections via our job/workshop feature on the homepage.
We also introduced more opportunities to engage with users by linking to social media, the introduction of polls on the homepage, giving users the ability to share information with colleagues, and enabling them to leave ratings/reviews on Resource Bank items.
Our last goal to provide a fit for purpose content management system has also been achieved. The CMS we selected has proven a good choice because of its ease of use. Staff can maintain the website themselves, and because it’s built on the Drupal platform, which is an open source CMS, it means it’s more flexible and constantly being improved upon as contributors introduce new functionality to enhance it.
The Results/Benefits
Under Coachwise's management, this website has been transformed into an exciting place for coaches to drop in and get the latest information on training, coaching tips, case studies, in-depth research and lots more. We delivered a website which met all the objectives. And we’re very pleased that the website has received two Best in Class Awards from the Interactive Media Awards for the categories: sports and charity.
What the Client Says
“Coachwise’s advice and support have helped us to develop an award winning website and vastly improve the user experience for our members and partners.”
James Hook, Communications Manager, sports coach UK
similar case studies
other case studies for sports coach UK
