Module 6 - the finale

Hi, welcome to the blog.  This week we're going to look into WCAG and POUR principles while analyzing a favorite website.  I don't necessarily have a favorite site so I decided on www.soccer.com.  It's an online soccer merchandise store out of North Carolina.  It has been around since 1984, used to be called Eurosport.  I have used this site many times for soccer equipment for my self, team and now my kids.  It continues to evolve and now has become one of the biggest soccer equipment distributors in the United States.  So, let's get to it.

First, what is WCAG?  What is POUR?  WGAC stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.  These are guidelines to make the web more accessible to those with disabilities.  They were developed by a group called the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).  POUR stands for perceivable, operable, understandable and robust.  WGAG is based on the four principles of POUR.  Lastly, there are these levels of compliance.  Level A, AA, AAA.  A is the minimum level accessibility.  AA is reaching a broader range of accessibility issues.  AAA is the highest level of accessibility and is difficult to achieve.

Now back to soccer.com.  The homepage layout is modern and inviting.  It's not too busy like other online retailers.  There are messages scrolling towards the top with coupons and promotions.  There's a "Help & Service" button as well up top.  The links are pretty straightforward underneath the top bar with a "SHOP", "MY TEAM", "GUIDE", search, log in, favorites and cart links buttons.  There's a main side scroller with large pictures of promotions under that.  To the bottom right a survey popped up asking for feedback.  At the bottom center there are promotions you can click and scroll through.

Scrolling down some you start seeing product for sale.  There are specific descriptions for each item.  For example: Mizuno Morelia UL Japan FG Firm Ground Soccer Cleat White - White - $279.99 (https://www.soccer.com/shop/details/mizuno-morelia-ul-japan-fg-firm-ground-soccer-cleat-white_A1120389).  Even if you're not a soccer fan you get lots of information in the descriptions- the brand, type of cleat, color and cost.  I would say the site is perceivable but it does target a certain audience.

The site is very operable.  The interface is easy to navigate.  Scrolling up and down.  The content adjusts to the width of your browser or phone.  All the links, text and images have a purpose.  As you click on the links to the products it takes you to the product page which has more information and pictures of the product including product specifications, ratings and reviews.  This gives customers more information to make the right decision when purchasing equipment.  

soccer.com is certainly understandable.  All the pictures, descriptions and prices seem to match.  I've visited the site many times and links all work.  Again, the site is easy to navigate through check out.  There is are articles, blogs, product demo and previews sprinkled throughout the site.  For example if you've never bought cleats there before there's a buyer's guide.  Or if you're looking a certain high end ball there might be a demo video.  

And finally, is the site robust?  From what I can tell it reaches a wide audience when it comes to accessibility.  I would point to the product descriptions that use specific wording for describing the equipment including colors, brands, and type.  Scrolling all the way down to the bottom of the site there is an "Accessibility" link that shares an accessibility statement.  It also has contact information for questions or concerns.  I had never noticed that before.  I believe that pushes the level from A closer to a AA making it more accessible to more people.

Something I did notice to be missing is audio accessible descriptions or images or products.  That would definitely enhance the experience for those with a visual disability.  Also, maybe more image descriptions in addition to product descriptions.  Like for cleat images on the product page it would describe as you click the product images: left cleat, right cleat, top view, bottom view, side by side.  That would be interesting.

What are your thoughts?  Hit the comments.  Until next time.

Mobile Hope Analysis

This week I wanted to analyze the Mobile Hope website: https://mobile-hope.org/

Mobile Hope is a non profit organization out of Leesburg, VA.  They support homelessness and at risk youth.  I've worked with them before with my wife during the Christmas Season at an event called Christmas Village.  It's an extensive Winter wonderland themed space with pictures with Santa Claus feature where they accept gifts and donations.  It's a powerful event held over most of December.  You can be an elf, gift wrapper, line watcher among many other tasks.  It's really easy to sign up to volunteer, only a few simple questions.  There's directions and times to arrive and coordinators and leaders.  Very comprehensive.

Back to the site, off the bat as you go to the site there's a pop up ask to "Stay Connected" where you can add your email address to join the mailing list to stay up to date on volunteer opportunities and future events.  They want to you get involved through your email address right from the start.

Next on the home screen you see at the top right the name/logo.  The logo itself is graffiti style and looks DIY.  The colors are inviting.  Top middle you see many important links.  As you hover over them you see more information.  Very user friendly and interactive.  I will go into an example a little further down.  To the right there are social media link to Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly twitter) and a link for donations.  Again, very interactive and user friendly, inviting visitors participate via social media or monetarily.  I recommend checking out the White Paper (https://mobile-hope.org/white-paper).  It explains the cause so much better than I ever could!

As you scroll down a little there are more links and opportunities to participate and support.  You can request help.  You can check out the White Paper (linked above) and much more.

I wanted to point out the "Get Involved" link.  As you hover over, it lists the many ways one can support Mobile Hope.  Whether is donating money, time, or things.  There are many ways to help for anyone from individuals to companies.  They  make it really easy to sign up and are very thorough with the expectations and training (if needed).  From experience, they are organized in the volunteer opportunities.

As you continue down the site there is much more information including stories and many videos and links to create interaction between visitor and Mobile Hope.  At the bottom of the site you see contact information including phone numbers, hours of operations, addresses, social media links again.  There are links to a blog, privacy policy and term & conditions.  Even a call for feedback for more participation from the visitor!  

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.  Does Mobile Hope seem like a user-friendly site inviting participation?  Until next time.

Ai generator exercise

 Using https://hotpot.ai/logo-generator/create I entered the prompt: rectangular logo with text "talvarenga's, digital writing blog, summer 2025" with an elephant and tried a few different style.  See below.  I didn't give me the banner I was quite looking for but it was fun to see the different styles of pictures.  I clicked the different styles to the right.  I found that hotpo.ai gives you 75 free pictures a day.  It's a pay site if you want more picture or feature.

Next I tried Canva.com with this prompt: "A rectangular logo design featuring an elephant. The text should read: "Talvarenga's", "Digital Writing Blog", and "Summer 2025". The style should be clean and modern, with balanced typography and a minimalistic design. The elephant can be simple and symbolic, either to the left of the text or integrated into the layout. Use soft, neutral colors for a professional and welcoming look." which I got from chatgpt because I used my picture generations for the day for my digital poster.  Anyway, these came out better.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.