Gwinnett County Public Library

Gwinnett County Public Library

We are very excited to announce the launch of the new website for Gwinnett County Public Library system.

Website History

Their website was originally created in 2016. Over the years, the library relied on various external companies for design and maintenance, resulting in a site that had accumulated around 200 pages, 500 posts, 14,000 images, 114 broken internal links, and 45 console errors. A lot of the software was outdated: WordPress, many plugins, the theme, and the server’s PHP version were all using older versions. On top of that, the website was not mobile-friendly.

We monitored the website’s 404 error log and discovered over 1,000 inaccessible URLs, mostly for past events.

Also since 2016, Gwinnett Libraries’ programs and services have evolved significantly, necessitating a comprehensive update to the information presented on the website.

Makeover Process

In the redesign process, we first updated all outdated software and resolved the console errors. We discovered that the theme developer had not released a theme update in six years. The theme itself was also relying on outdated plugins. To address this, we transitioned the website to a more reliable and stable theme.

Collaborating closely with Gwinnett Library’s Marketing team, we organized, restructured, and reduced the number of pages, posts, and images on their site. Each page was analyzed and rewritten if needed. We collaborated with various departments to clarify and consolidate information.

To address the 404 errors, we implemented 1,000+ redirects to ensure visitors are directed to relevant, current pages, and we continue to monitor the 404 error logs, adding redirects as needed.

As a result, the website now features fewer than 100 pages, around 30 posts, and 2,000 images, with no internal broken links, console errors, or 404 errors.

Improved Integration With Their Events Platform

We also incorporated Gwinnett Library’s branding, colors, and fonts in their events management system. Additionally, we included embedded iframe elements throughout that showcase events by specific categories and age groups, making it easier for visitors to find their events of interest. This streamlined approach saves time for Gwinnett Library’s Marketing team, eliminating the need for manual updates across various pages.

Organized and Responsive

The newly designed, cohesive, and organized website significantly improved navigation for visitors, making it easier to find relevant information. The new website also has a responsive design, making it mobile-friendly, adapting seamlessly to desktop, laptop, tablet, and mobile screens.

Increase in Website Traffic

Since the redesigned website was launched, we have seen a noticeable increase in website traffic. Prior to the redesign, Gwinnett Library’s website received approximately 140,000-150,000 sessions per month. After the redesign, traffic has surged to 183,000 sessions in a month, and the average time users spend on the site has risen from 40-50 seconds to 60 seconds.

Ongoing Partnership

We are proud to have partnered with Gwinnett County Public Library in this important project and look forward to continuing to work with them as they serve their community.