As a final project for my UX Design Bootcamp, I redesigned Ableton’s website navigation to create a smoother experience for all users, especially beginners.
Research
At the start of our project, I wanted to understand what were the needs of musicians when navigating through music software websites. So, I did two things: surveys and interviews.
Key findings from the survey:
Difficulty finding specific products on websites.
Issues with search functions requiring exact names.
A desire for more trial versions to test products before committing to purchase.
Too many choices can be overwhelming for some users.
Key findings from the interviews:
Users prefer simpler layouts with well-organized product details;
Issues with unclearly defined categories;
Preference to product demonstrations through tutorials, rather than reading product features;
Challenges with information overload and poor design.
Problem Statement
The target users, aspiring music producers, have difficulty finding specific products due to inexperience on music software terminology. The vast array of options and features can be confusing and overwhelming and they worry about new software/hardware being compatible with existing equipment.
"Music production beginners need to find a way to access product information because currently inexperienced users don't understand the technical terminology to find what they're looking for."
Design
After collecting all the data and reorganizing the existing sitemap, I decided to restructure Ableton's information to better fit user needs. All products were grouped into a dedicated section, clearly labeled for those unfamiliar with the brand, and overlaid the products for easy selection. Inside the product pages, the information was reorganized with clear labels for instant guidance. The entire navigation bar was revamped to align with user preferences. Notably, a "Learn" section was added for product support and music-making tutorials, and a blog section to keep users updated on community events.