NWC News Desk

NWC's Web site designed with user in mind

Posted October 24, 2008
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P O W E L L,  W y o. - Online visitors to Northwest College should find it a little easier navigating, thanks to a year-long redesign project that came to fruition this semester. The new look and navigation system also come with content management software, which allows for more dynamic and current content.

Carey Miller, the college's webmaster, said as soon as viewers land on the NWC home page they'll get a feel for the philosophy driving the site.

"The new design is geared to the user," she said. "We want everyone to be able to find the information they're looking for as quickly and easily as possible." The result, according to Miller, is a user-friendly and task-oriented site, starting with the very front page.

"This means a more simple and 'uncluttered' design," Miller added. "No more drop-down menus and a greatly simplified list of links on the home page.  Research tells us we've only got about 30 seconds to show a visitor what they want, so we've got to make it count."

One of the first attention-grabbing features is the large photo on the front page that pans slowly across the screen (viewers can even click through an album of photos, which currently includes one showing NWC President Paul Prestwich in a leaping catch during an intramural flag football game).

Beyond the new design and improved navigation, the site also boasts a new and improved calendar that lets viewers add an event to their personal electronic calendar, receive e-mail reminders and more.  The online admissions application is also new, and so are up-to-the minute stats packages posted immediately after each athletic event.

Individuals looking for employment at Northwest will find other features to make their lives more convenient, including an online application process. An improved directory listing, better search tool and front-page spotlight feature are also part of the new site.