yoursite
For this project, I designed an intuitive online site builder that empowers users to easily create and customize their own websites. The focus was on delivering a seamless, user-friendly experience with flexible design options, drag-and-drop functionality, and customizable templates.1. Market research
I conducted a competitor analysis of several popular site-building platforms, evaluating their strengths, weaknesses, and user experiences. This analysis helped identify opportunities for differentiation and areas where the user experience could be improved.
Wix
Known for its highly customizable drag-and-drop interface, offering users a great deal of design flexibility. However, the platform can feel overwhelming for beginners due to the sheer number of options and tools available. Users often reported confusion when navigating between advanced features, and the freedom sometimes resulted in disorganized layouts. This highlighted the importance of providing intuitive guidance and structured templates in my design to balance creativity with ease of use.
Weebly
Offers simplicity and ease of use, making it appealing for beginners. However, its limited design flexibility and template options restrict creativity for more advanced users. The platform's simplicity often comes at the cost of functionality, which can leave experienced designers feeling constrained. This emphasized the need for my site builder to strike a balance between simplicity and robust customization features, ensuring accessibility without sacrificing advanced functionality.
Squarespace
Stands out for its sleek, modern templates and focus on aesthetics. While the platform excels in design quality, it offers limited flexibility for customization beyond the pre-built templates. Some users found the editing experience restrictive, as they could not fully adapt the designs to their unique needs. This insight guided my approach to creating more customizable templates that offer both beautiful design options and the ability to personalize elements without technical complexity.
Webflow
Has powerful design capabilities and appeals to more advanced users, offering almost limitless customization. However, its steep learning curve can be a barrier for beginners or non-technical users. Many users appreciate the professional-level control it provides, but the complexity of the platform often requires a strong understanding of web design principles. This highlighted the need for my site builder to offer robust customization options while remaining accessible and user-friendly for non-designers, ensuring that users can create professional websites without extensive technical knowledge.
2. Personas
I created two primary personas: Artistic Blogger and Content Creator. This process involved conducting user research to understand the distinct needs and goals of these two user types. The Artistic Blogger persona focuses on self-expression and visual aesthetics, needing a platform that offers creative freedom with customizable templates and design flexibility. On the other hand, the Content Creator prioritizes efficiency and functionality, requiring tools that streamline content management, publishing, and SEO optimization. By developing these personas, I was able to tailor the user experience to address their specific workflows and preferences, ensuring the platform serves both creative and productivity-driven users.
3. Wireframes
The wireframe process began by translating the insights from user research and personas into a structured layout. I started with low-fidelity wireframes to map out the core features, navigation, and page flow, ensuring a clear, intuitive user experience. These wireframes focused on key elements like the drag-and-drop functionality, template selection, and content management tools, ensuring that the layout was user-friendly and accessible for both the Artistic Blogger and Content Creator personas.
Through iterative feedback and testing, I refined the wireframes to balance simplicity with robust customization options. The emphasis was on creating a clean, clutter-free interface that guides users through the process of building their website with minimal friction.
Yoursite builder
Light & dark theme
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