Web Design Improvements GSSOC 2025 Project Enhancements

by Sharif Sakr 56 views

Hey everyone! I'm Prem Kumar Rajbhar, a contributor to GSSOC 2025, and I've been diving deep into the "100 Days of 100 Web Projects" project. I've checked it out both through the live deployment and by digging into the source code locally, and I've spotted some areas where we can make significant improvements. Let's make this project shine!

Identified Issues

Before we jump into the awesome improvements I have in mind, let's break down the issues I've found. This will give us a clear roadmap of what we need to tackle.

1. Navbar: Guys, the navbar isn't playing nice on smaller screens. It's not responsive, which means it's not adapting well to different devices. This is a critical issue because a lot of users will be accessing the site on their phones and tablets. A responsive navbar is essential for a smooth user experience.

2. Home Section: That "Random" button on the home screen? It's a bit of a giant on smaller screens. We need to make sure it scales properly so it looks good on all devices. Think about how users interact with this button – we want it to be inviting and not overwhelming.

3. Project Section: In the project section, the "live demo" text could use a little love. Removing that line would clean things up visually. More importantly, some of the links aren't working. Broken links are a big no-no! We need to ensure all links are functional so users can explore the projects seamlessly. We must ensure this is fixed to provide the best user experience and to showcase the work effectively.

4. Challenge Statistics: The challenge statistics are currently static, which means they're not updating dynamically. It would be awesome to make these numbers dynamic so they reflect the real-time progress of the challenge. This will add a layer of engagement and excitement for our users. Imagine seeing those numbers tick up as people contribute – that's motivating!

5. "Click to Top" Button: This little guy is getting hidden behind the cards in the "About the Challenge" section. That's not ideal! We need to make sure it's always visible and accessible so users can easily navigate back to the top of the page.

6. Semantic Structure and SEO: We're missing semantic HTML structure and meta tags for SEO. This is a big deal for accessibility and search engine optimization. Semantic HTML helps structure the content in a meaningful way, making it easier for both users and search engines to understand. Meta tags provide crucial information to search engines, helping them index the site correctly. This is super important for discoverability.

7. Excessive Internal/Inline CSS and JavaScript: There's a bit too much internal/inline CSS and JavaScript going on. This can make the code harder to maintain and can impact performance. Moving these to external files will help clean things up and improve the site's overall efficiency.

Improvements I Can Contribute

Now for the exciting part – how we can make this project even better! Here’s a breakdown of the improvements I'm eager to contribute to:

1. Navbar Enhancements:

  • First things first, let's add a memorable name and logo for the project. A strong brand identity is crucial for recognition and user engagement. This will give the project a distinct personality and make it more memorable.
  • Next, we'll build a fully responsive navbar with a hamburger button for smaller screens. This ensures a consistent and user-friendly experience across all devices. A well-designed responsive navbar is the backbone of a mobile-friendly website.

2. Home Screen Revamp:

  • Let's proudly mention "GSSOC 2025" on the home screen. This will immediately connect the project with the GSSOC community. It's about giving credit where it's due and showcasing the project's affiliation.
  • We can add a compelling description about the project and include some clear call-to-action (CTA) buttons. This will guide users and encourage them to explore further. Think of the home screen as the project's storefront – we want to make a great first impression!

3. Project Section Overhaul:

  • Instead of scrolling, let's implement a carousel for showcasing projects. Carousels are visually appealing and allow users to browse projects in a dynamic and engaging way. This will significantly enhance the user experience.
  • We'll fix those broken links! This is a top priority. Every link needs to be functional and lead users to the correct destination. It’s a matter of user trust and showcasing the project effectively.
  • And of course, we'll fix the "Click to Top" button positioning so it's always visible and accessible. Small details like this can make a big difference in usability.

4. About the Challenge Section Polish:

  • We can improve the layout of the "About the Challenge" section for better readability. Clear and concise information is key to keeping users engaged. Think about how we can break up the text, use headings and subheadings, and create a visually appealing layout.

5. Expanding the About Section:

  • Let's add a new section dedicated to open-source projects and their benefits for contributors. This is a fantastic opportunity to educate users about the power of open source and encourage participation. We'll also include a CTA button specifically targeting this project, making it easy for people to get involved. This section can highlight the impact of open-source contributions and motivate more people to join the community.

6. Footer Redesign:

  • The footer is often an afterthought, but it's a crucial part of the website's overall design. Let's redesign it for improved visual appeal and usability. Think about including important links, contact information, and social media handles. A well-designed footer can enhance the user experience and provide a sense of completion to the page.

7. Code Structure Optimization:

  • This is where we'll get technical and make some under-the-hood improvements. We'll add meta tags and semantic HTML to boost SEO and accessibility. This is essential for long-term success. Proper semantic HTML and meta tags help search engines understand the content and structure of the website, leading to better search engine rankings.
  • We'll also move internal/inline CSS and JS to external files. This will clean up the code and improve performance. External files are cached by the browser, which means faster loading times for users. Plus, it makes the code easier to manage and maintain.

8. Project Page Consistency:

  • To create a cohesive user experience, let's add the same navbar and footer to the project pages as we have on the landing page. This will create a sense of continuity and make it easier for users to navigate the site. Consistency is key to building a professional and user-friendly website.

Let's Make It Happen!

I'm incredibly enthusiastic about working on these improvements under GSSoC'25. I believe these changes will significantly enhance the project's usability, accessibility, and overall appeal. I'm eager to dive in and contribute my skills to make this project a success.

I would be grateful if you could assign this task to me. Let's work together to make this project the best it can be!