Company
Date Published
Author
Shannon Soper
Word count
1384
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

The text outlines the process undertaken by Gatsby to update their homepage on gatsbyjs.org, as the existing design was outdated and did not effectively communicate Gatsby's value to new visitors. The project involved conducting usability tests with React-knowledgeable testers, the majority of whom were unfamiliar with Gatsby, to identify issues with the site's messaging and user engagement. Initial tests revealed that visitors did not gain an accurate understanding of Gatsby from the homepage, leading to changes such as moving the "How it Works" diagram above the fold and refining the messaging to emphasize Gatsby as a free, open-source tool for developers. The company organized a prototype workshop to iteratively design the homepage, addressing concerns like the use of company logos for social proof and the clarity of commercial offerings. Despite initial missteps with the "Install Gatsby" button, which confused users, the team returned to using "Get started" based on test feedback. The goal is to ensure visitors quickly appreciate Gatsby's benefits, as measured by increased engagement and conversions, with ongoing community input encouraged through comments and participation in future tests.