• Streamline the online store's navigation and user experience
• Enhance product categorization and search functionality
• Improve website accessibility for visually impaired customers
• Implement best practices for e-commerce website design and usability

Project Timeline

• Preferred Start Date: As soon as possible, ideally within the next 2-3 weeks
• Duration: Approximately 6-8 weeks, depending on the scope and complexity

Additional Context

Bold Blind Beauty is a startup that aims to create a more inclusive and accessible culture for individuals on the blindness spectrum. While functional, our current e-commerce section on the website could benefit from improvements in appearance, organization, navigation, and accessibility features to better serve our target audience.

Website Navigation and User Experience

1. Conduct a usability audit of the current website to identify areas for improvement in navigation and user experience.

2. Analyze the website's information architecture and propose a more streamlined and intuitive structure for content organization.

3. Redesign the website's main navigation menu and sub-menus to enhance clarity and ease of use.

4. Implement breadcrumb navigation to help users understand their current location within the website hierarchy.

5. Optimize the website's search functionality by incorporating advanced search filters, auto-suggestions, and relevant product recommendations. 

Product Categorization and Search

1. Review the existing product categorization system and suggest and implement improvements for better organization and discoverability.

2. Develop a comprehensive tagging system for products, incorporating relevant attributes, features, and keywords.

3. Implement faceted search functionality, allowing users to filter products based on various criteria such as price range, color, size, or material.

4. Enhance product descriptions and metadata to improve search engine optimization (SEO) and on-site search relevance.

5. Integrate advanced search algorithms or machine learning techniques to provide more accurate and personalized search results.

Website Accessibility

1. Conduct an accessibility audit of the current website to identify areas for improvement in compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

2. Implement alternative text descriptions for images and other non-text content to support screen readers and visually impaired users.

3. Ensure proper color contrast ratios and font sizes for improved readability and visual accessibility.

4. Incorporate keyboard navigation and focus management techniques for users who rely on assistive technologies.

5. Implement accessible form controls and error-handling mechanisms to enhance the user experience for individuals with disabilities.

E-commerce Best Practices

1. Research and document best practices for e-commerce website design, usability, and conversion optimization.

2. Analyze and optimize the website's checkout process to reduce cart abandonment and improve conversion rates.

3. Implement trust signals and social proof elements (e.g., customer reviews, testimonials, security badges) to build customer confidence.

4. Develop a responsive and mobile-friendly design to ensure a seamless experience across various devices and screen sizes.

5. Integrate analytics and user tracking tools to gather data on user behavior, identify pain points, and make data-driven decisions for continuous improvement.

Mentorship and Guidance

Learners will be mentored by industry professionals from Bold Blind Beauty who are experts in advocacy, accessibility, and empowering the visually impaired community. Our mentors will provide guidance, feedback, and support throughout the project, ensuring learners develop relevant skills and gain practical experience.

Access to Relevant Tools and Technologies

Bold Blind Beauty will provide learners access to the tools and technologies required for the project. This may include accessibility testing tools, website development platforms, design software, or other specialized tools needed for website optimization, categorization, and accessibility improvements.

Access to Data and User Insights

Learners will have access to data and user insights related to Bold Blind Beauty's existing e-commerce website and customer base. This data could include website analytics, user feedback, accessibility audit reports, and other relevant information to inform their decisions and recommendations.

Training and Educational Resources

Bold Blind Beauty will offer training and educational resources to learners, covering topics such as web accessibility guidelines (WCAG), e-commerce best practices, user experience design principles, and other relevant subjects. These resources will help learners acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to complete the project successfully.

Networking Opportunities

Learners will have the opportunity to network with professionals from Bold Blind Beauty and potentially other organizations within the visually impaired community. This can lead to valuable connections, mentorship opportunities, and future career prospects.