Van Buren/Cass District Health Department

UX Strategy | UX Design | Website Development | WordPress

The Van Buren/Cass District Health Department (VBCDHD), located in southwest Michigan, is committed to providing accessible, effective health services while ensuring public safety and wellness for all residents of Van Buren and Cass counties.

The Situation

VBCDHD came to Northwoods looking to improve the disjointed user experience offered by its four separate websites. These sites were outdated, difficult to navigate, and costly to maintain due to unnecessary hosting fees.

The Solution

Northwoods digital experts developed a comprehensive UX strategy to determine how best to present information on a variety of topics, ranging from school children’s health to residential well permits and approvals. Through in-depth user research and analysis, we simplified the site map, consolidated pages, and merged four websites into one to offer a seamless, user-friendly experience.

Our front end developers created a mood board and prototypes that maintain VBCDHD’s brand standards while breathing new life into the look and feel of the site with a contemporary, responsive design. We also supported the setup of a secure intranet and integration with third-party payment processing and health portal platforms.

Additionally, our team provided content and keyword recommendations to optimize for SEO.

This website features bold, playful imagery centered around people, creating a strong connection between the user and the brand. The vibrant visuals enhance engagement, making the site feel lively and inviting. Faces naturally attract attention, and the imagery adds both warmth and color to the design.

The Design

We designed the VBCDHD website with a strong focus on user experience, ensuring the site is simple, concise, and easy to navigate. Key calls to action are prominently highlighted, allowing users to quickly find what they need and take action without hesitation. We also structured the content to be highly scannable, so visitors can absorb information at a glance and quickly move on to their desired destination.

A warm and playful aesthetic creates a welcoming and engaging experience, enhanced by vibrant pops of color and soft, earthy tones. Friendly, inviting imagery reinforces the overall sense of connection and trust.

The Outcome

The revamped VBCDHD website delivers a streamlined, cohesive user experience while providing improved online services to district residents. The UX design is user-focused and visually striking, with an intuitive navigation and fresh, modern aesthetic. By consolidating four websites into one, the new website is also easier to maintain, saving the district several thousand dollars in annual hosting fees.