Contact Us at CAO

Designed and implemented a self-service center using user testing, achieving an 17% reduction in call and message volume and over 20,000 page views since 2024 launch

Skills: Figma, cross-functional collaboration, usability testing, user interviews, user research facilitation

October 2023 - December 2023

Overview

I led the research and redesign of the CAO contact us experience, creating a "self-help" center to help users quickly find answers to common inquiries, as identified by the information support (IS) team.

Problem Statement

The Condo Authority of Ontario (CAO) was overwhelmed with repetitive calls, messages, and inquiries from users seeking information available on the website. Users found it easier to contact the CAO directly rather than navigate the site, creating inefficiencies for both users and the CAO's team.

Impact

📞 Reduced the number of phone calls to the CAO by 17% between 2022 and 2024

👩🏻‍💻 Over 20,000 page views since early 2024 launch

📉 Notable decrease in calls regarding technical issues

Contact Us Landing Page Evolution

  • Original Design

    Users only saw the message form, making it faster to message or call the CAO than find the information independently.

    Screenshot of the original Contact Us page on the Condo Authority of Ontario's website with a basic form
  • Proposed Design

    Moved content above fold of page, added a search function for faster way finding and less pages to develop

    Screenshot of a high-fidelity Figma prototype, featuring a search bar, three navigation steps, and a section for commonly asked questions
  • Final Design

    Moved the key content above the fold of the page, integrating commonly asked questions, and clear instructions

    Screenshot of the implemented contact us page featuring the three navigation steps and commonly asked questions

The Data

These categories shaped the architecture of the Contact Us section. The tech issues became a core category at the top, and the director training and common issues were added to the "Commonly Asked Questions" at the bottom of the page.

Highest Reported Issues to the Info Services Team

User Testing & Results

  • User Testing Prototype

    Wordpress prototype for user testing. The KPIs were: task completion, satisfaction, time on task, qualitative feedback, and system usability scale.

    Screenshot of the prototype version of the CAO's contact us pages on the website
  • Key Areas of Improvement

    Overall, users reported a high SUS score of 88, but the qualitative feedback noted specific improvements that could take it from good to great.

    Bubble plot displaying four key areas of improvement from user testing: 'Need Instructions' (93%), 'Complex Content' (87%), 'Scrolling Issues' (60%), and 'Too Long Content' (38%)

Design Process

  • Sketches

    Early concepts, including a search bar and placing the contact form on the first page

    Picture of a sketch of the CAO's 'Contact Us' page, with explanations of design elements
  • Low-Fidelity Wireframe

    Early design for the self-help center placing higher importance on the FAQs

    Picture of a low-fidelity design for the 'Contact Us' page in Figma, featuring gray rectangles representing content areas
  • Final Starting Page

    Put core actions above the fold of the page promoting the core user journey

    Screenshot of the final design in Figma, showcasing the start of the 'Contact Us' user flow

Challenges…

  • Implementing the designs in template restricted Wordpress builder prevented custom components to be developed and used

  • Balancing preferences from management and users prevented some UI changes

  • Using easy to understand copy while managing the legislation required cross-functional team buy-in

Results

Screenshot of the second page in the CAO's 'Contact Us' user flow, displaying categories of commonly asked questions

Following the launch, there was a 17% reduction in end-of-year call and message volume. The pages, which have received over 20,000 visits since their early 2024 launch, led to a notable decrease in IT inquiries. Website polling indicated a 32% increase in user acceptance ratings.

Overall, the project was successful and highlighted the value of user insights. It paved the way for future user testing opportunities, including focus groups, usability tests, and surveys.