Joshua Sortino Logo
  • design
  • photography
  • writing
  • speaking
  • about
  • contact
Open Project
square-brandmark.svgsquare-logotext.svg
Open Project
viewfinder-logomark.svgviewfinder-logotext.svg
Open Project
bff-logo-long.svg
Open Project
teespring-brandmark.svg
Open Project
everdwell-brandmark.svgeverdwell-logotext.svg
Open Project
bulan-brandmark.svgbulan-logotext.svg
Open Project
disqus-logotext.svg
Open Project
marker-app-logomark.svg
Open Project
vida-mobile-brandmark.svgvida-mobile-logotext.svg
Open Project
webdesigner-depot-brandmark.svgwebdesigner-depot-logotext.svg
Open Project
bento-logo.svg
Open Project
instacart-logotext.svg
Open Project
dolody-logomark.svgdolody-logotext.svg
Open Project
disqus-brandmark.svgdisqus-logotext.svg

Designing the Disqus dashboard

Project Design Lead ยท 2012

Designing the Disqus Dashboard
Instacart shopping cart redesign
Instacart shopping cart redesign

Identifying the problem

The original Disqus dashboard did not provide publishers with step-by-step instructions. Lack of clear next steps after completing the initial sign up process resulted in high drop-off rates.

Original Disqus dashboard design

Original dashboard (before redesign)

Disqus onboarding steps design Disqus onboarding steps design Disqus onboarding steps design

Exploring options

To solve the problem, designs for a clear step navigation indicator were explored. Additionally, the visual design was reworked to improve focus by removing clutter.

Hiding unnecessary details

With the original dashboard design, notifications cluttered the initial onboarding steps. By moving notifications into the menu, only the essential items are visible.

Disqus dashboard notifications design
Disqus installation steps animation

Presenting the solution

The final design solution for the steps navigation was conceptualized and animated for testing with real users.

Implementing the final designs

First draft wireframes were sketched on whiteboards before final designs were integrated directly into the dashboard codebase. Analytics software was used to monitor user flows and verify a 33% increase in sign up completion with the updated onboarding design.

Disqus onboarding installation instructions
Disqus onboarding installation instructions
Disqus onboarding installation instructions
Photo of Joshua Sortino

I'm Joshua Sortino, an ex-Design Director at Square and startup advisor based in San Francisco. I've been building websites, products, and businesses for 16 years. Are you looking for a coach or advisor? Let's get in touch. If you appreciate this site or want to hear more from me, you can

Follow @sortino

© Copyright 2017 - 2019

Twitter Facebook Dribbble Instagram Linkedin E-Mail