Personal Reflection
This course enhanced my ability to build a stronger strategic mindset around digital marketing I’m now able to understand digital design and usability through a professional lens and look at aspects of a website that work and what doesn’t. One of the personal goals I set for myself in this program was to go deeper than just campaigns and visuals, I wanted to better understand what really shapes a great user experience, and how to bring that thinking into every project I work on.
Over the past four weeks, I have learned to look at websites not only from a marketer's perspective but also from a user's perspective. The small details like links or button placement and even the images used can either help or hinder a user in completing a task. I have also come to recognize that even good design can fail if it is not paired with good, thoughtful navigation, good accessibility, and user feedback.
What I Learned from Each Assignment
1. Analyzing Usability, Design, and Content
Home Page Analysis
This was the first time I looked at website design differently, “Does this design make sense to a first time visitor?” I learned how important it is to guide users clearly and to think more critically about what each element on a page is doing.
2. Conducting Usability Testing
Testing Your Website
Watching someone else try to complete a task on a site I reviewed was interesting. Things I assumed were intuitive weren’t always that clear. This assignment taught me the value of testing early and often, and how useful even a single test can be in spotting roadblocks I wouldn’t have noticed on my own.
3. Evaluating Navigation Structure
Navigation Analysis
I came away from this one understanding that navigation is more than a menu it’s a map. It sets the tone for how people interact with a site. Its important to keep things simple, label them clearly, and guide users toward their goals without overloading them.
4. Building a Strategic Improvement Plan
Final Website Plan
This was the project where it all clicked. Pulling together my analysis, testing insights, and competitor research, I created a real plan for improving a site with clear, actionable next steps. It felt like a shift from student to strategist, something I’m proud of and excited to keep building on.
