Genelex - MBL Site Review #1

Let me present a new series of posts I’m going to start serving up that will focus on biotech and life science websites. I will produce a sometimes detailed (semi-technical) analysis of those websites I believe have something to be pointed out.

Although there are plenty sites to pick from, I’m accepting any suggestions or requests. Feel free to drop me a line.

I’m going to kick this off with a website that I think needs a complete redesign. It belongs to a company called Genelex.

Started in 1987, Genelex is a comprehensive, licensed and accredited provider of DNA testing services to medical professionals and the general public.

THE HOMEPAGE
First impression is a biggy, right? Well, not in this case. The first page we get after typing in www.genelex.com is rather old-school and in need of help.

There is a list of things that could and should be changed:

The top group of links can not be distinguished from normal text (everything is white!)
The chromosome layout with section links is presented in a low quality beveled button fashion, very 90’s
The text that follows once again shows no difference between normal text and links, a definite no-no.

THE SECTIONS
Although Genelex has a huge amount of information over the many many pages of the site, it is very unorganized and the layout changes from section to section which is rather misleading sometimes.
The flow of information is not always straightforward, leading the visitor to click at random keywords, which is not always a good thing.

Genelex Section

FINAL NOTES
Maintenance for this large website must be very complicated due to the fact that all pages seem to be static (plain html files).
A complete content management system could improve the overall navegation throughout the website and all the different sections.

What could help a lot with navigation is a sitemap where one could see all there is to offer on the website. But I couldn’t find one. So, that’s another no-no.

The overall web technology and graphics employed are out-dated and in need of a major redesign and development.

Keeping in mind that Genelex has been around since 1987 and has been at the front-line of DNA testing for medical professionals and the general public, it’s interesting how there has not been more interest in maintaining an up-to-date web presence.

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