Client: Administrative Office of the Courts (State of California), San Francisco
Challenges: AOC asked me to copyedit “static text” for an online application, but little of the copy in the application met usability standards for user interfaces. The site provides resources for child welfare attorneys and social workers.
Dutchgirl’s solutions
With the client’s permission, I rewrote virtually all of the copy for the application. Key improvements included these changes:
- Developed information architecture: Improved navigation in the application, writing navigation labels that were easy to understand and comprehensive.
- Prioritized information: Retooled planned page layout and content so that the most-used information appeared high on each page.
- Rewrote for maximum “information scent”: Rewrote the copy into concise, active sentences packed with keywords that orient users.
- Made other usability recommendations: Recommended changes to meet other website usability standards. Examples: Add a “Search” label next to the search box; activate functionality with the Return key; and streamline functionality of site registration form.
Live page:
California Dependency Online Guide 