Qld Centre Mental Health Research
CASE STUDY
QCMHR website development
The Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (QCMHR) is a leading Australian institution (based in Brisbane) dedicated to improving mental health outcomes through research, policy development and education.
QCMHR collaborates with national and international organisations to influence mental health care practices and policies.
Website project goal
QCMHR wanted to redesign their website to better reflect their mission, enhance user experience and improve accessibility to research findings and resources. The previous site was outdated, with a complex navigation system that hindered users from quickly accessing relevant information, not to mention staff were unable to update the website in an efficient manner.
Objectives of the website redevelopment
When we met with the team from QCMHR, they outlined the following objectives:-
Update the design
Create a clean, professional and mobile responsive design that reflects the organisation’s credibility and aligns with contemporary web design standards.
Improve user experience
Simplify navigation to allow users —researchers, policymakers and the general public — to easily find information on the website.
Staff to update website content
Implement a content management system (CMS) that enables the QCMHR team to easily update content without needing technical expertise.
Enhance accessibility
Ensure the website meets WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards to make it usable for individuals with disabilities.
Our approach
1. Discovery and research
We met with key stakeholders to understand the QCMHR’s goals, audience needs and pain points with the current site.
Feedback on the current website was provided along with analysis of websites of similar research institutions to identify best practices and potential areas for differentiation.
2. Design and prototyping
A design brief was supplied along with a wireframe to map out the site structure, focusing on intuitive navigation and clear calls to action. Using the Delacroy template from Joomshaper, we created a modern, clean design that aligns with QCMHR’s brand identity.
The colour scheme was chosen to evoke trust and a sense of calm, essential for a mental health research institution.
3. Website development
We chose the Joomla CMS (content management system) as an easy-to-use website platform so staff are easily able to make content updates.
As part of the website development process, we implemented a fully responsive design to ensure the QCMHR site was accessible on various devices, including mobile phones and tablets.
4. Testing and launch website live
Prior to launching the website live we conducted usability testing with a sample of end users to identify any pain points or areas for improvement. We also ensured the website performed consistently across various browsers and devices. 301 redirects were also completed as part of our SEO management.
5. Training and support
We provided multiple in-depth training sessions for the QCMHR team on how to use the Joomla CMS and maintain and update the website. Along with this training we established a maintenance plan to monitor site performance, handle updates and ensure security.
Website outcomes
Increased engagement
The new website design led to a 30% increase in time spent on the site, indicating that users found the content more accessible and engaging.
Improved accessibility
The site successfully passed all WCAG 2.1 AA compliance checks, making it more accessible to a broader audience.
Positive feedback
Stakeholders and users praised the site for its clean design, ease of navigation and the ability to find information quickly. Staff were quick to praise Joomla on how easy it is to make changes and updates in the back-end administrator area.
Conclusion
The QCMHR website redesign successfully met all project objectives, providing the organisation with a modern, user-friendly and accessible online presence. This project not only enhanced QCMHR’s ability to disseminate important mental health research but also reinforced its position as a leader in the mental health research community.
This case study demonstrates the importance of a user-centred approach to website design, particularly for organisations in the research and healthcare sectors where accessibility and clear communication are paramount.