Overview
In collaboration with the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), the redesign of their official website was undertaken. This website stands as a critical platform for regulatory information dissemination and investor engagement within the Lebanese financial ecosystem. The project's primary goals were to enhance user experience, simplify information access, and align the website with international best practices.
Challenges
The original CMA website posed several challenges. Navigation was convoluted, information was scattered, and the design lacked cohesion. These issues hindered effective communication with investors, financial institutions, and the public.
Information Architecture
Tackling the task of improving information organization was indeed a challenge. Given the website's extensive content and diverse range of documents and information, a strategic overhaul was required. The main landing page was thoughtfully restructured into two categories: one tailored for investors and the other for corporations.
Upon selecting their designated category ("Investor" or "Corporate"), users were seamlessly directed to dedicated pages, complemented by submenus to expedite access to common user requests. This strategic implementation resulted in the creation of three distinctive menus for users to explore.
In consideration of the website's copious forms, documents, and term sheets, the integration of a quick search feature and filters proved vital. This user-centric approach was strategically implemented to enhance the user experience and simplifying the process of locating specific information.
Lessons Learned
Importance of Collaboration: Close collaboration with stakeholders and early developer involvement led to smoother implementation.
User-Centered Approach: Prioritizing user needs and iterative testing ensured the design met expectations.
Understanding Regulations: Having a strong understanding of the rules and requirements ensured that we followed them properly while also making sure that the changes we made to the website didn't make it harder for users to use.
Conclusion
The Capital Markets Authority website redesign demonstrates the significance of employing user-centered design within intricate regulatory landscapes. Despite the inherent challenges and numerous iterations, the diligent collaboration, combined with thoughtful design decisions, culminated in a favorable outcome. The end result is a testament to the successful transformation of a demanding platform into a valuable resource that serves the needs of financial institutions and the broader audience.