MeetUp Launches Cool New Site

Meetup recently launched their new and improved website filled with an intuitive and streamlined web architecture, a Google mashup that shows where Meetup’s are currently happening, real time RSVP’s, etc. Check it out at Meetup.com. What we love about the new site is that Meetup has a wealthy amount of info on their site, yet the new design is well thought out and not cluttered. It flows easily and does not overwhelm the web user. Unfortunately, many organizations constantly struggle with putting every item under the sun on the homepage in order to please their stakeholders. The end result is a cluttered homepage that intimidates the user with competing information.

When embarking on a redesign consider a few key points and tips:

1. You have approximately 5 seconds to grab a web visitors attention before they click off your website.

2. Know your audience and research their web needs by conducting focus groups and online surveys. Then reassess your audience needs every 6 months.

3. Provide easy and intuitive navigation.

4. Comply with accessibility standards so that your site is user-friendly to all including people with disabilities. Check out the W3 for more info.

5. Conduct a content audit. Archive and remove outdated info, reports, etc. Remove wonky content unless your audience is policymakers and researchers.

6. Highlight the most important issues or messages on your homepage.

7. Homepages should be dynamic and updated frequently to keep web visitors coming back to your site.