The Web site for the Georgia Tech Alumni Association has been redesigned up front and behind the scenes.

While the front end of the Web site has an obvious new look, the file structure that backs it up also was redesigned, including the creation of a content management system that helps with the creation and modification of the Alumni Association’s numerous Web pages, said Lora Magnuson, director of Web services. The programmers behind the effort are Matt Hall, CS 04, and Jessica Heasley, STC 01, she said.

“We’ve learned from previous redesigns that planning the redesign was as much of the project as actually designing the new site and programming the pages,” Magnuson said. The huge task included maintaining the old Web site while designing and developing the new one.

The project began a year ago with information obtained from focus groups ranging from Web site navigation and aesthetic preferences to most desirable features. The focus groups were led by Rena Moyers, vice president of market research, Web and campus relations, and Heather Carson, market research analyst.

“The results painted a clear picture of our constituents’ expectations,” Moyers said.

“We tested several home page mock-ups and developed an expandable home page that organized our content into five main areas — get involved, stay informed, use online services, find career services and give back,” Magnuson said.

“Last year we had more than 1 million visits to the Alumni Association Web site at gtalumni.org, so there is a great need for us to offer quality Web services,” Magnuson said. “With alumni living all around the world, our online services are sometimes the only means for them to stay in touch with Tech. It’s the job of the Web department to provide valuable online services that help alumni stay connected to Tech and to each other.”