Resource Tracking Thread for Make.WordPress.org Redesign

[courtneyr-dev]

Comment

This issue is a place to gather resources and research on overhauling Make.WordPress.org's text.

[courtneyr-dev]

https://www.emilyomier.com/blog/project-homepages-that-dont-suck

Video: https://ftp.belnet.be/mirror/FOSDEM/video/2024/h2215/fosdem-2024-3154-project-websites-that-don-t-suck.mp4

Overview:

FOSDEM 2024: Project Websites That Don't Suck

Introduction

• Speaker: Emily Omier
• Focus: Content quality over design aesthetics in project websites.

Background and Focus

• Emily is a positioning consultant for open source startups.
• Hosts "The Business of Open Source" podcast.

Homepage Goals

• Quick Understanding: Convey what the project does and its value promptly.
• Self-Selection: Enable visitors to determine relevance and fit.
• Credibility Boost: A well-crafted homepage enhances project credibility.

Homepage Analytics and Audience Insights

• Bounce Rates: Not a reliable indicator of homepage effectiveness.
• Efficiency: The goal is to quickly repel unfit visitors to save everyone's time.
• Navigation: Clear links to documentation and about pages are crucial for developer-oriented projects.

Anatomy of a Homepage

• Essential Elements:
  • Market category
  • Project benefits
  • Ideal fit clarification
  • Unique value proposition
• Examples:
  • Open Telemetry for clarity
  • Apache Cassandra for differentiated value

Importance of About Pages

• Common Issues: Many about pages fail to convey the project's uniqueness or team humanity.
• Effective About Pages: Showcase the team, their viewpoints, and build credibility.

Avoid Basic Mistakes

• Professionalism: Correct grammar, punctuation, and consistent capitalization are crucial.
• Perception: Errors may reflect poorly on project quality.

Assessing Your Website

• Feedback: Direct feedback from community channels can provide clarity and effectiveness insights.

Recap and Conclusion

• Purpose of Websites: Facilitate efficient self-selection and convey project essence.
• Key Pages: Don't neglect the about page.
• Accuracy: Ensure basic correctness to maintain credibility.

[eidolonnight]

Thanks @courtneyr-dev ! Moving this to the Discussion area until we have actionable items to break off into issues later.