


01
Case Study Overview
Design a website for a small podcasting start-up.
Salutations Media Company (SMC) is a start-up history and human interest based podcast company that did not have a web design/development team and was looking for a UX Designer to assist in forming their website and optimizing its function.

02
Previous Site/ The Problem
.png)
Biggest Problems:
-
Imagery misrepresents the purpose of the company
-
No clear CTA
-
Does not address "What we do" or "how we can help you" above the fold

03
Research
-
Survey:
Descriptions are influential in users' decisions; therefore, we would need to add descriptions to the two different podcasts, each individual podcast episode, and to the home page to explain who SMC is.
Reviews are also very important. I wanted to add a comment section to each podcast episode page.
A good chunk of people found their podcasts through recommendations, so we would need to add a "Share" button so others could easily pass on the word
​
-
Competitive Analysis:
Showed a gap in reviews, F.A.Qs, and live support. Reviews was indicated as the second most important feature in the survey, thus this is a feature need Five Volcanoes Coffee could meet.
10
total participants
30%
said being able to directly access an episode from the home page was important
1/3
indicated brand recognition is a reason they would select one podcast site over another, thus we needed a "Share" button to be able increase brand recognition through users quickly sharing the site
_edited.jpg)
Podcast Description
Feature
Salutations Media Co.
YouTube
Spotify
Reviews
Relevant Imagery
Brand/Name Displayed
Episodes on home page
Sources
Search Function
Episode Player (Rewind, etc).

04
User Personas
_edited.jpg)
Name: Caitlin Jones
​
Age: 21
​
Occupation: College Student
​
Tech Savvy: High
Key Considerations
-
Needs to be user-friendly with easy navigation and recommendations to get her started
-
Clear instructions would be useful
-
Ability to subscribe to podcasts and save episodes for offline listening would be valuable to her
Motivations
-
Find an engaging and entertaining podcast that can accompany her during commutes and leisure time
-
Interested in exploring a wide range of topics, including self-improvement, true crime, and psychology
Behavior
-
Very active on social media
-
Seeks recommendations from friends/family/colleagues
-
Values convenience
-
Appreciates curated lists or personalized recommendations
-
Likes hosts that have a conversational and relatable style
Pain Points
-
As a newcomer to podcasts, its overwhelming to navigate how many podcasts are out there
-
Struggles to understand how to subscribe to podcasts, save episodes for offline listening, or exploring different genres
-
May be concerned about the time commitment to listen to podcasts regularly

_edited.jpg)
Name: Sarah Smith
​
Age: 45
​
Occupation: History Teacher
​
Tech Savvy: Moderate
Key Considerations
-
Wants a site that offers user friendly interface with clear navigation and search functionality
-
Site needs to provide well-researched, fact-checked, and academically sound content
-
Likes podcasts that recommend other podcasts or sources such as books and are transcribed
-
More likely to subscribe to a podcast that offers exclusive bonus episodes, in-depth on specific historical periods, interviews with professionals
Motivations
-
Primary goal is to expand knowledge and gain deeper understanding of historical events, cultures, and figures
-
Interested in podcasts that cover lesser-known history topics and fresh perspectives on well-known events
-
Wants a podcast that offers a vast collection of episodes across various periods and themes
Behavior
-
Engages in online history forums and discussion groups to both share knowledge and learn new perspectives
-
Likes opportunities to interact with hosts and other listeners through comments, forums, and live events
-
Recommends podcasts to others
Pain Points
-
Finds it challenging to keep up with the vast amount of historical content online
-
Spends too long looking for reliable and well-produced podcasts
-
Wants a podcast that categorizes episodes by era, regions, or themes so its easier to find relevant episodes
-
Frustrated by podcasts that lack factual accuracy or fail to provide proper citations

_edited.jpg)
Name: Jeff Green
​
Age: 34
​
Occupation: Accountant
​
Tech Savvy: High
Key Considerations
-
Needs to be user friendly, making it easier for her to explore and find podcasts that resonate with her
-
Clear categorization of themes, topics, and/or personal stories
-
Site should provide curated lists and recommendations
Motivations
-
Main goal is to discover captivating and inspiring biographies that provide personal insight, life lessons, and unique perspectives
-
Interested in exploring themes likes personal growth, career success, overcoming challenges, and self-reflection
Behavior
-
Seeks recommendations from trusted sources and values podcasts with engaging hosts who share personal anecdotes and thought provoking insights
May engage in online communities to discuss her favorites as well as find more recommended, similar podcasts
Pain Points
-
Finds it challenging to navigate the vast range of podcasts in this genre
-
Unsure about which podcasts will provide compelling and authentic stories
-
Struggles to find podcasts that align with her specific interests

SMC had recently won a Business Insider Award so I suggested adding it to either the home page or About page as social validation for new potential users
Descriptions were indicated to be important to users, so I added them with the imagery of the podcasts
SMC's original site had no call to action above the fold, so I added one
SMC's original imagery did not match the purpose of the site, so I recommended a change in imagery
A short quip to draw in new users and let them know what the site is about
Home page
05
Wireframes


Individual Episode
Research indicated users find a good portion of their podcasts through recommendations, so an easy to find Share button was important to add as well as social media links
Descriptions were found to be very important so I wanted quick descriptions in a few places so users didn't have to search for it
.png)
I wanted a close captions feature for accessibility
Reviews were one of the top reasons survey respondents chose a product/service, so a comment section was needed

06
Final Product




"I highly recommend Laura for your team. She is incredibly talented and will be a valuable addition to your team!"
​
- Dawn-Michelle Lewis
CEO & Founder of Salutations Media Company

Let's chat!
Looking for a designer? Send me a message, and let's get to work making your vision come to life!
© Laura Weisz