SUDenergie · A new website for SUDenergie
Brief
SUDenergie, one of the main energy companies in Luxembourg, tasked us with a website audit where we identified several improvement opportunities. Following this website audit, SUDenergie requested that we redesign their website, and that’s exactly what we did!
Challenges
One of the main challenges of this project was the fact that we had to start from an existing project which already contained several logics which were in need of improvement and were missing some user-friendliness. It is also important to note that SUDenergie, being one of Luxembourg’s main energy providers, impacts the general public and it is therefore crucial for all of their simulators to display accurate information at all times.
A human-centric approach
From the beginning it was clear to us that we wanted to create a website that fulfils its duty as an online client space and puts the human element in the centre of everything.
To achieve this, we collaborated closely with the team at SUDenergie, from the organisation of workshops to define the website structure together, to the constant live testing with the client to make sure everything’s going according to plan.
We also humanised the website design by adding visuals that highlight clients and employees and including many website photos that depict real employees from SUDenergie.
Data-driven components
As already mentioned above, one of the challenges was taking the many data sets that were in place and improving them.
From a developer’s point of view, we started off by adopting the existing data structure and gradually amending it to reflect our needs. We created new simulators for electricity quotes based on the one already in place for gas simulations. The challenge here was to properly integrate all data sets contributing to the calculations of the simulators in order for them to display accurate information at all times.
Another way we transformed data was by completely revamping the map element and making it fully interactive. The map now shows all of SUDenergie’s different projects (e.g. energy plants, buildings equipped with solar panels), has an integrated filter system and even displays visual contents, such as videos, depending on the project.
User experience
To deliver a truly user-friendly website that prioritises the end customer’s experience, we created a modular website design that accompanies the customer on each step of their browsing journey. The different components are designed in a way that each user gets a page presentation tailored to their needs and, therefore, can benefit from a personalised website experience.
Additionally, we reorganised the existing content elements to make them more coherent and easily accessible. One example of this is the integration of the FAQ section on the homepage. The principal aim of this implementation is to accompany the client as they reach the homepage and find a way to solve their problems as quickly as possible. Other than guiding the user, the implementation also has a practical advantage as it aims to lighten SUDenergie’s workload. With clients regularly contacting SUDenergie’s call centre with similar, often generic, questions, it was evident that the FAQ section was not visible enough and needed to be brought to the foreground.
Design
Prior to the website redesign, SUDenergie had reworked their visual identity and applied it to their print materials. To enable a smooth transition from print to web, we created visual components that include elements of this revised identity, such as the new colour palette and the integration of the flame element of the logo within frames and other design components. The result is a more recognisable and, most importantly, warm and welcoming appearance that makes it more approachable to both, existing and potential clients.
Iconography
We created a new set of icons to accompany SUDenergie’s updated website design. The icons are strategically placed to attract the attention of the website visitors to the most important components of each page.
The icons were designed in a one-line, circular style to reflect the idea of circular energy and SUDenergie’s approach towards sustainability.