New Website for the Next-Generation ARM User

 
Published: 17 January 2017
The new and improved ARM home page was designed based on user feedback.

It’s at the same arm.gov address, but a new ARM website went live December 29. In response to user feedback, the website was redesigned to make:

  • Navigating easier by reducing the number of tabs at the top from ten to five
  • Accessing data easy by making it the first navigation tab
  • Submitting campaign proposals faster with a new form
  • Searching instruments and value-added products (VAPs) speedy and efficient
  • Searching the site more effective with a new search capability that sorts by relevance and latest content
  • Finding important information from any page simpler with a new footer navigation
  • Featuring timely information accessible on the front page, with all articles searchable under News & Events
  • Getting help a snap with a new question form in the footer.

The redesign of the site was almost two years in the making. To ensure the new website hit the mark, a two-day workshop was held in February 2015 with a multi-lab team to identify audiences and requirements for the site. The design and development team conducted internal and external surveys, coordinated a usability study with the University of Tennessee on the old site and a strawman design, and applied comprehensive analysis on the current site architecture and Google analytics to determine how it was being used.

An extensive review process was conducted, which included numerous presentations to ARM leadership, the ARM User Executive Committee, and the multi-lab web team, as well as at two ARM Developers Meetings.

A usability study of the new site conducted before the site launch showed an 89 percent success rate in potential new ARM users navigating the site to find pertinent tools, information, and support.

Work will continue on the site over the next few months to bring in phase 2 development. Please share feedback at pubs@arm.gov.

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The ARM Climate Research Facility is a national scientific user facility funded through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. The ARM Facility is operated by nine Department of Energy national laboratories.