Kentico Smart Search: A Case Study in Improved User Experience

Client

Our client, St. Eriks, is a large healthcare organization.

Challenge

St. Eriks faced multiple challenges with its Kentico website that affected both its operational efficiency and user experience. The client needed a comprehensive solution to address several critical issues such as:

• Performance Issues and SEO Optimization: The site was experiencing slow load times, negatively impacting user experience and search engine rankings.
• Kentico Smart Search Fix: The site’s smart search functionality did not work correctly, leading to user frustration and inefficiencies in content discovery.
• Website Structure Enhancements: There was a need to add new elements to the site structure, including new menu items in the header and new sections for social buttons in the global footer.
• Embedded Videos Issue: The videos embedded on the site were not functioning, detracting from the multimedia experience intended for users.
• CMS Assistance: The client required training and assistance in using the CMS for various tasks such as creating, publishing, unpublishing documents, and creating and adding new widgets.
• System Support for Kentico: Ongoing system support was needed, including updating licenses and configuring the system.

Solution

To address these challenges, we deployed a multi-faceted approach:

• Performance Optimization and SEO: We conducted a thorough audit of the site’s performance and SEO status. Optimization strategies included refining server configurations, optimizing database queries, and implementing caching mechanisms.
  For SEO, we enhanced meta tags, improved the site structure, and ensured mobile optimization to boost search engine rankings.
• Kentico Smart Search Fix: The smart search functionality was repaired by troubleshooting the existing search configurations, reindexing the site content, and optimizing search queries for faster and more accurate results.
• Site Structure Enhancements: New menu items were added to the header to improve navigation, and new sections for social buttons were incorporated into the global footer, enhancing the site’s user interface and accessibility.
• Embedded Videos Issue: We identified the root cause of the video embedding issue, which was related to outdated plugins and incorrect embedding codes. These were updated and corrected, ensuring the smooth playback of embedded videos across the site.
• CMS Assistance: Comprehensive training sessions were conducted for the St. Eriks team, covering all necessary CMS functionalities. We provided detailed guides and hands-on assistance for creating, publishing and unpublishing documents, and for creating and managing new widgets.
• System Support for Kentico: We provide ongoing system support, including regular updates to Kentico licenses, system configuration, and troubleshooting. This ensures the site remains up-to-date with the latest features and security updates.

Results

The interventions led to significant improvements across the board:

• Improved Site Performance and SEO: Page load times were reduced, and the site’s SEO performance saw a marked improvement, leading to increased traffic and better search engine rankings.
• Enhanced Search Functionality: The Kentico smart search functioned smoothly, improving user satisfaction and engagement.
• Better User Experience: The addition of new menu items and social button sections streamlined navigation and boosted the site’s user-friendliness.
• Functional Embedded Videos: Video content worked flawlessly, enhancing the multimedia experience for users.
• Efficient CMS Use: The St Eriks team became proficient in using the Kentico CMS, leading to more efficient content management and faster updates.
• Reliable System Support: Continuous system support ensured that the site remained secure, functional, and up-to-date with the latest enhancements.

Technologies

Kentico CMS, ASP.NET, C#, SQL Server, SEO Tools, Performance Optimization Tools, CMS Training Materials and Tools.

Learn more about Digital Experience practice at First Line Software