English 3302Business and Technical Report Writing

MemorandumTo: Uhd.edu Web designers

From: Jelilat Adesiyan J.A

Subject: Flaws on the UHD website and how to fix them

Date: 1 January 2013

OverviewThe University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) website is very interesting and dynamic. However, it has its weak points as well as its strong points. It generally follows the themes and format that most University websites take. Every click on the UHD emblem takes the user back to the homepage and that is very important. This feature of stability is a very important part of any website because the heading is the same on every page therefore, it is always easy to get back to the homepage or to the myUHD page anytime. There are a few flaws on the website and I will strive to enumerate them and propose solutions. Some of these problems on the page include the overall theme colors. They do not completely match. The quick link theme also does not match the overall theme colors. The mobile site is not completely suited to accommodate the user’s need because the options available are not completely user friendly and, the myUHD sign is not very noticeable. The ‘inquire, visit and apply’ link takes the prospective student to a page that doesn’t look related to the school, mainly because the themes don’t match. The inquire link should be moved to the future student page, and the success stories images draws the focus away from the main reel, while the UHD online link should be enlarged an placed at a different spot.

Theme ColorsThe UHD theme colors appear to be blue, red and black based on the heading of the website page. Various variations of it seem to be scattered across the screen but what really ties it together is the grey background. This is a flaw. The basic color themes are not being followed through. A black background will be beneficial towards really tying the page together. It will make it look modern and the colors will pop against the black background. The colors of the pictures on the main reel cannot be helped but the black background should take care of the abundance of colors that would constantly change.

Quick Link The quick link option is very helpful and that is something I recently discovered. This is a testament to the invisibility of the link. The quick link link seems to summarize the entire website but it is very tiny and located at the top of the page under the search bar. It would be really beneficial for the users if the font was bigger and probably colored one of the theme colors. It should then be placed next to another tab of a different color of the same theme.

English 3302Business and Technical Report Writing

MyUHD The myUHD page is probably one of the most important pages for a user. It is actually one of the most developed and helpful pages on the website but the link that connects it from the homepage to the actual page is tiny compared to its function. The colors separate it from the background and that is very important but it not the appropriate size for a link that is probably second only to the UHD homepage link. It would be valuable to the users if the sign of the link was bigger.

Inquire, Visit and Apply

The inquire, visit and apply link is very important to prospective students but it is not required to be on the homepage twice.

i. Inquire : The ‘future students’ tab on the left hand side of the page already has also has an ‘inquire’, button as does all the links on the left hand side. I think that it should be removed from the homepage and left on the ‘Future Student’ tab only because while it performs the same function of assisting future students, it doesn’t help current students, alumni and the countable other tabs on the left had side. The inquire link takes a prospective student to a page that requires them to fill out a long form. This page is done in white and while it does have the UHD emblem, it doesn’t link back to the main page and the UHD emblem on this page also includes the spelled-out name of UHD in gold. This is not reminiscent of the theme of the main page.

ii. Visit and Apply : The visit and apply link is also on every page on all the links on the left side of the homepage. It should only be in the a few of the pages on the link on the tabs such as the future students, visitors & family, and the Business community pages since these are directed towards people other than the students.

Success StoriesThe success story idea is very inspirational and enlightening but it also serves the double edged function of cluttering the page. If it was added to the main reel permanently, it could simplify the process and draw user’s attention the reel in question.

UHD OnlineDistance learning is a very important part of UHD; it houses an adequate percentage of UHD students. The link on the homepage is placed directly under the UHD success story “read my story line” and the largeness of the people being recycled detracts from the usefulness of the link. It should either be added to the list of tabs on the side of the page, or moved to the area of the heading of the homepage, preferably next to the myUHD link.

ConclusionIf you would like to contact me about any questions or more information you can get hold of me through my email (jelilatwebsite@etc.org) or my phone number (713-000-0000).