Conduct a competitive site audit with other member-driven news organizations

By conducting a competitive site audit of other member-driven news organizations, we can identify areas where we excel and areas where there is room for improvement. This project aims to enhance our understanding of user needs and preferences, leading to potential optimizations that could improve user satisfaction, engagement, and retention. Ultimately, this will help us maintain a competitive edge and drive business goals related to audience growth and loyalty.

Comparative analysis: Evaluate our platform's UX design and navigation against those of other member-driven news organizations using a structured evaluation framework.

User feedback: Gather feedback from users through surveys or usability testing to assess their perception of our platform's UX compared to competitors.

Track KPIs related to user engagement, such as time spent on site and bounce rate to measure the impact of any UX improvements resulting from the audit.

Analyzing the user experience offered by other member-driven news organizations helps us identify best practices and opportunities for improvement. By incorporating insights from the audit, we can enhance navigation, design, and functionality on our website, making it easier and more enjoyable for users to access and engage with our content.

Define parameters: Determine the scope of the audit, including competitor websites (e.g., The Guardian, Gothamist, Grist) and specific parameters to evaluate (e.g., homepage design, navigation structure).

Create evaluation framework: Develop a structured evaluation framework or checklist to assess UX design and navigation elements across competitor websites. Define criteria such as usability, visual appeal, information architecture, and accessibility.

Conduct audit: Assign team members to conduct a thorough audit of each competitor website, focusing on the identified parameters. Document observations, strengths, weaknesses, and notable features for each website.

Compile findings: Consolidate findings from the competitive site audit into a comprehensive report or presentation. Organize insights into actionable recommendations and opportunities for improvement.

Analysis and synthesis: Analyze the collected data to identify common trends, patterns, and areas of divergence among competitor websites. Synthesize insights to inform strategic decisions and prioritize UX enhancements.

Recommendations: Develop actionable recommendations based on the audit findings to improve our platform's UX design and navigation. Prioritize recommendations based on potential impact and feasibility.

Implementation plan: Create a roadmap for implementing recommended UX enhancements, outlining specific tasks, timelines, and responsible stakeholders. Incorporate feedback from key stakeholders and user testing, if applicable.

Monitor and iterate: Continuously monitor user feedback and key performance metrics following the implementation of UX enhancements. Iterate on design changes based on user response and evolving industry trends to ensure ongoing optimization and competitiveness.