Background
In my tenure at Accounting Analytics, I had the intriguing opportunity to revitalize the website of the venerable National Association of Public Bookkeepers (NACPB). Once the distinguished standard bearer of the industry, the NACPB's website was showing signs of aging, with an antiquated interface and labyrinthine layout causing equal parts exasperation for its clientele and employees. Undeterred, I took the bull by the horns, devoting over a year to understanding the intricacies of the organization before unveiling an updated web platform.
Find the Solution
The experience with this project underscored the challenges that can arise when there's a dissonance between a client's vision and the expert advice aligned with best practices. Despite our team's earnest efforts to propose solutions grounded in data, centered around users, and compliant with industry standards, we were met with the client's needs. In retrospect, the project's outcome bore a striking resemblance to the former website, albeit on a new platform. While not quite the transformation we had hoped for, the experience served as a powerful reminder of the importance of advocating for the best user experience and adherence to industry standards in all client interactions.
Despite the roadblocks, I consider this project a pivotal part of my portfolio, as it represents a significant learning journey. Amidst the challenges, I honed my skills, absorbed invaluable insights, and even built a comprehensive Learning Management System (LMS) and backend using tools like Wized, Xano, Webflow, Airtable, Typeform, and Make. My intention was to foster an integrated community and support system.
Finalizing the Work
It might be tempting to suggest a quick fix like setting up a Teach:able account, but unfortunately, not all solutions are a universal fit. Especially if a business has tailored their product to excel in a specific area. While Teach:able offers an easy out, it falls short in terms of flexibility.
Admittedly, as an ambitious individual continually exploring new tools, I sometimes grapple with the "jack of all trades, master of none" syndrome. And that's exactly how the NACPB LMS was conceived – as a modest but effective platform for users to monitor their learning progress and savor the benefits of their membership.
The previous customer portal was more akin to a complicated labyrinth - confusing and hard to navigate. What added to the frustration was that the discounts promised to the members were not readily accessible.
The newly redesigned portal addresses these issues, introducing a plethora of features. Users can now view their exam results, receive virtual certificates, utilize a directory/profile system for freelance job opportunities, and buy courses at discounted rates. All these improvements have been actualized thanks to the dynamic Wized 2.0 platform developed by [Finsweet]. And that's the story of how a well-worn website got a breath of new life.