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Case 5 Website Progress Report: Adoption Discovery Organization
Prepared for
Dr. Nicole Amare, Professor of Technical Communication
English Department, University of South Alabama
namare@southalabama.edu
Submitted by
Nadia Howard, Student
University of South Alabama
njh2121@jagmail.southalabama.edu
April 22, 2023
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Date: 4/22/2023
To: Dr. Nicole E. Amare
From: Nadia Howard
Subject: Analyzing the website, whether it meets effective visual rhetoric and document design
standards, as well as, usability testing and whether it is effective for the business.
The following report was constructed after a clear analysis done on the website of the
adoption discovery organization. The organization is a non-profit making organization. I got an
opportunity to work with the organization as a volunteer company and therefore most of the
information used in this paper has been copied from my analysis which I collected from the
graphics. Some of the information was also acquired from my school which was able to program
for the website as well.
This report analyses the following concerns:
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The website accessibility.
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The website functionality.
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The website's practicality along with its overall appearance.
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Recommendations for future use
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Table of Contents
Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 4
1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 5
1.1 Purpose...................................................................................................................................... 5
1.2 Background information ....................................................................................................... 5
1.3 Problems ............................................................................................................................... 6
2.0 Discussion ................................................................................................................................. 7
2.1 Usability Test ........................................................................................................................ 7
2.1.1 Audience Recognition & Involvement .......................................................................... 7
2.1.2 Homepage ...................................................................................................................... 7
2.1.3 Linked Pages .................................................................................................................. 9
2.1.4 Navigation ...................................................................................................................... 9
2.1.5 Document Design......................................................................................................... 10
2.1.6 The style used .............................................................................................................. 10
2.1.7 Accuracy ...................................................................................................................... 11
2.2 Survey Results .................................................................................................................... 11
2.2.1 The website's practicality along with its overall appearance. ...................................... 11
3.0 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................. 12
3.1 Summary ............................................................................................................................. 12
3.2 Recommendations ............................................................................................................... 13
References ..................................................................................................................................... 14
List of Illustrations:
Figure 2.1.2 The Homepage of Discover Adoption
Figure 2.1.6 The style used in Adoption Discovery
Figure 2.2.1 Website practicality along with its overall appearance.
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Abstract
Adoption Discovery is a non-profit organization based in the United States that provides
education, support, and resources to individuals and families who are considering adoption, in
the process of adoption, or who have been impacted by adoption in some way (Adoption
Discovery). The website offers a variety of resources, including adoption education and training,
search and reunion services for birth families and adoptees, counseling and support services, and
a helpline for individuals seeking assistance with adoption-related issues.
Adoption Discovery also offers a range of educational materials, such as videos, articles,
and podcasts, covering topics related to adoption, including international adoption, domestic
adoption, foster care adoption, and open adoption (Ambati et al., 2020). The organization aims to
help individuals and families navigate the adoption process and make informed decisions about
their adoption journey.
This analysis has been constructed to establish the possible improvements that have to be
implemented to enhance the productivity of the website in the business. The analysis will inspect
the accessibility, functionality, and practicality of the website.
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1.0 Introduction
1.1 Purpose
This report focuses on the analysis of the Adoption Discovery Organization based on the
link https://www.adoptiondiscovery.org and how to make it productive.
1.2 Background information
Adoption Discovery is a non-profit organization based in the United States that aims to
help individuals and families affected by adoption. The organization offers a range of services,
including support groups, counseling, and education, to help individuals navigate the adoption
process and deal with the emotional and practical challenges associated with adoption (Clohesy
& Acton, 2019). Adoption Discovery was founded in 2002 by Gail Feldman, who had personal
experience with adoption and saw a need for more support and resources for individuals and
families affected by adoption. Since then, the organization has grown to include a team of
counselors, educators, and volunteers who are committed to helping individuals and families
affected by adoption.
One of Adoption Discovery's key goals is to provide a safe and supportive space for
individuals to explore their feelings and experiences related to adoption. The organization offers
support groups for birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees, as well as individual counseling
and education on topics related to adoption (Heinze & Heinze, 2020). Adoption Discovery is
funded through donations, grants, and fundraising events, and relies heavily on volunteers to
provide its services. The organization has received recognition for its work in the adoption
community and is seen as a valuable resource for individuals and families affected by adoption.
Adoption Discovery's website (https://www.adoptiondiscovery.org) is an online platform
designed to provide information, resources, and support to individuals and families affected by
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adoption. The website offers a range of services, including educational materials, support groups,
and counseling services. The website was created to help individuals and families navigate the
adoption process and deal with the emotional and practical challenges associated with adoption.
It provides a platform for individuals to connect with others who have had similar experiences
and find support and guidance.
The website includes information on a variety of adoption-related topics, including open
adoption, birth parent support, and adoptee rights. The site also includes information on the
adoption process, including how to adopt a child and the legal requirements involved. Adoption
Discovery's website is user-friendly and easy to navigate, with clear menus and concise
information. The site is updated regularly with new resources and information to keep users
informed and engaged.
The website is an essential component of Adoption Discovery's mission to provide
support and resources to individuals and families affected by adoption. It serves as a vital tool for
reaching a wider audience and providing valuable information and support to those who need it.
1.3 Problems
Upon website analysis and research on the Adoption discovery website, the following
problems were identified:
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Slow Loading Speed
Lack of Mobile Optimization
Some of the parts of the website are not appealing.
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2.0 Discussion
2.1 Usability Test
2.1.1 Audience Recognition & Involvement
The audience for Adoption Discovery's website is primarily individuals and families
affected by adoption. These may include birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees who are
seeking support, information, and resources related to adoption. The website is designed to
provide a range of services to this audience, including support groups, counseling, educational
materials, and information on the adoption process (VanScoy, 2019). The site is also a platform
for individuals to connect with others who have had similar experiences and find support and
guidance.
The audience can recognize the use of the website through the clear and concise
information provided on adoption-related topics, as well as the supportive and welcoming
environment created by the site's design and content. The website's navigation is user-friendly,
making it easy for visitors to find the information they need quickly and efficiently (VanScoy,
2019). Adoption Discovery's website is also regularly updated with new resources and
information, indicating that the organization is committed to providing the most up-to-date and
relevant information to its audience. The audience for Adoption Discovery's website, therefore,
recognizes its use as a valuable resource for support, information, and connection for individuals
and families affected by adoption.
2.1.2 Homepage
Adoption Discovery's website is using a grid layout on its homepage, it creates a sense of
order and organization, making it easier for visitors to find the information they need. A grid
layout can also help to create a sense of hierarchy, with more important information or features
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placed in prominent locations on the page. As depicted in the figure below, the website has been
designed in a way that people can donate, discover, adopt, start learning, or login (VanScoy,
2019). The grid system as well displays children who are in need and
Figure 2.1.2 The Homepage of Discover Adoption
The pictures illustrated on the websites are of young children and this maintains the
theme of the website. It has a variety of pictures that appreciates diversity and everyone within
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the picture, ninety percent of them are young infants. However, the adults who are also there are
representing the parental care that is needed to take care of the children. Scrolling down, the
webpage can help the browsers observe other literature materials that can help in caring for
adopted children (VanScoy, 2019). The videos as well which have been put into use are as well
helpful in bringing a clear message and emphasizing the theme of the webpage.
2.1.3 Linked Pages
Concerning the linked pages, some of them are not working for the website. For instance,
in the initially mentioned links such as donation, adoption, and discovery only the donation link
is active. The rest don't seem to have up-to-date information.
However, the article titled "How to Improve Feature Discovery for Product Adoption" on
Userpilot's blog discusses the importance of helping users discover and utilize new features in a
product to increase user adoption and satisfaction. The author provides several strategies to
improve feature discovery, including using in-app messaging and tooltips, creating feature
walkthroughs and tutorials, collecting and analyzing user feedback, and leveraging user data to
personalize the user experience (VanScoy, 2019). The article also emphasizes the importance of
continuous testing and iterating these strategies to improve feature discovery and adoption over
time.
2.1.4 Navigation
Based on my analysis, the navigation of the Adoption Discovery website
(https://www.adoptiondiscovery.org/) is straightforward. The website has a clear and organized
menu bar at the top of the homepage, which provides easy access to the main sections of the
website, including "Home," "About Us," "Our Programs," "Resources," "Donate," and "Contact
Us." Additionally, the homepage has clear call-to-action buttons and links that guide visitors to
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specific actions or pages on the website. In general, the navigation of the Adoption Discovery
webpage is well-designed and user-friendly.
2.1.5 Document Design
The Adoption Discovery website uses a simple and clean design with a white
background, which makes the website easy to read and navigate. The font size and style are also
clear and legible, which enhances the readability of the website. The website uses images and
graphics sparingly and effectively, adding visual interest and providing context to the content. In
terms of document design features, the website uses headings and subheadings to organize
information into sections, making it easier for visitors to find what they are looking for (Baah et
al., 2021). The use of bullet points and short paragraphs also helps break up the text into
manageable chunks, improving readability. The document design features on the Adoption
Discovery website are effective in presenting information in a clear and organized way, which
enhances the user experience and makes it easier for visitors to find the information they need.
This is as depicted below.
2.1.6 The style used
The Adoption Discovery website uses a minimalist and modern design style, with a focus
on simplicity, clarity, and user-friendliness. The website's design features clean lines, simple
color schemes, and a lot of white space, which creates a sense of spaciousness and elegance. The
typography used on the website is clear and easy to read, with a sans-serif font used for headings
and body text (Baah et al., 2021). The font size and spacing are consistent throughout the
website, which contributes to the overall clean and organized look. The website also uses a few
subtle design elements, such as hover effects on buttons and links, and small animations on some
pages. These design elements add a touch of interactivity and visual interest to the website
without detracting from its minimalist style. Overall, the design style used on the Adoption
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Discovery website is modern, minimalist, and user-friendly, which creates a positive user
experience and reinforces the organization's brand image.
Figure 2.1.6 The style used in Adoption Discovery
2.1.7 Accuracy
In relevance to the information on the website, it is exemplary accurate, and actual for the
website users.
2.2 Survey Results
2.2.1 The website's practicality along with its overall appearance.
The adoption Discovery website is easy to use and navigate, with clear and concise
information about the organization's services and resources. The website's menu bar is wellorganized, making it easy for visitors to find what they are looking for quickly (Baah et al.,
2021). The website's content is also well-written and informative, providing helpful information
for people affected by adoption. In terms of appearance, the website has a modern and
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minimalist design style, with a clean and uncluttered layout. The use of white space, simple color
schemes, and clear typography enhances the readability of the website, making it easy for
visitors to scan and read the content. The website also includes high-quality images and graphics,
which add visual interest and provide context to the content. Therefore, the Adoption Discovery
website is both practical and visually appealing, with a well-organized layout and a modern
design style that enhances the user experience. This is depicted below in the graph.
Figure 2.2.1 Website practicality along with its overall appearance.
3.0 Conclusions
3.1 Summary
The Adoption Discovery website provides information about Adoption Discovery, a nonprofit organization that offers services and support for people affected by adoption. The website
includes information about the organization's programs, resources, and events, as well as ways to
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donate and get involved. The website has a modern and minimalist design style, with a clean and
uncluttered layout, high-quality images and graphics, and clear typography that enhances the
readability of the content. The website is easy to use and navigate, with a well-organized menu
bar that makes it easy for visitors to find what they are looking for quickly. Overall, the website
is both practical and visually appealing, with a well-organized layout and a modern design style
that enhances the user experience.
3.2 Recommendations
Recommendations for improving the user experience of a non-profit organization's
website that I can recommend are:
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Optimize the website for mobile devices. Many visitors will access the website on their
mobile devices, so it's important to ensure that the website is optimized for smaller
screens.
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Make the donation process easy. If the website accepts donations, make sure that the
process is straightforward, with clear instructions and options for different payment
methods.
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Provide clear calls to action. Make it easy for visitors to get involved or support the
organization by providing clear calls to action throughout the website.
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Ensure accessibility. Make sure that the website is accessible to people with disabilities,
including those using assistive technologies like screen readers.
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References
Adoption Discovery. https://www.adoptiondiscovery.org
Ambati, L. S., Narukonda, K., Bojja, G. R., & Bishop, D. (2020). Factors influencing the
adoption of artificial intelligence in organizations–From an employee’s perspective.
Clohessy, T., & Acton, T. (2019). Investigating the influence of organizational factors on
blockchain adoption: An innovation theory perspective. Industrial Management & Data
Systems, 119(7), 1457-1491.
Heinze, K. L., & Heinze, J. E. (2020). Individual innovation adoption and the role of
organizational culture. Review of Managerial Science, 14, 561-586.
VanScoy, A. (2019). Bridging the chasm: Faculty support roles for academic librarians in the
adoption of open educational resources. College & Research Libraries, 80(4), 426.
Baah, C., Opoku-Agyeman, D., Acquah, I. S. K., Agyabeng-Mensah, Y., Afum, E., Faibil, D., &
Abdoulaye, F. A. M. (2021). Examining the correlations between stakeholder pressures,
green production practices, firm reputation, environmental and financial performance:
evidence from manufacturing SMEs. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 27, 100114.
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