Building a User-Friendly Research Lab Website: Key Features to Include
Building a User-Friendly Research Lab Website: Key Features to Include
Let's Build an Awesome Lab Website
Picture this: your lab website is like a digital open house. It's where future collaborators, eager students, and even potential funders get their first peek at your scientific wonderland. That's why we're here to help you make your lab website absolutely fantastic.
Here at Impact Media Lab, we've had a blast helping countless research teams transform their complex work into engaging, easy-to-navigate websites.
1. Clear Navigation: Your Website's Secret Map
Imagine stepping into a lab where beakers are scattered everywhere, and microscopes play hide-and-seek. Sounds chaotic, doesn't it? That's exactly how visitors feel when they land on a confusing website. But fear not. We're here to help you create a website so well-organized, it would make Marie Kondo proud.
First up: make your menu magical. Think of your website's menu as an outline for a scientific paper — give visitors a way to get to the information they’re most interested in. It’s important to keep your menu simple, not too many drop-down menus to get lost in, while still having crystal-clear categories like “Publications”, “Our Team”, or “About the Lab”. Your visitors will thank you for not making them play a guessing game.
And to take it to the next level, when your website is full of information on research and publications: add a search bar. It's like having a lab assistant with superhuman speed and accuracy. With this nifty tool, your visitors can find exactly what they're looking for faster than you can say "polymerase chain reaction". Remember, the easier it is for people to explore your website, the more likely they are to get hooked on your awesome research and the impact you’re having on the world.
2. Responsive Design: One Website to Rule Them All
In today's world, people browse the internet on everything from smartphones to ultrawide desktop screens.
Your website needs to look amazing on all of them.
Responsive design is like the chameleon of the web world. It adapts to any screen size, ensuring your content always looks its best. No more squinting at tiny text or side-scrolling adventures. Whether a potential collaborator is checking out your groundbreaking research while commuting, or a student is poring over your publications on their laptop, they'll have a seamless experience.
But there’s more to it than just looking pretty - it's about speed too. Remember, in the digital world, patience is rare. If your website takes too long to load, visitors might bounce. By making your lab website both mobile-friendly and quick to load, you're showing that you value your visitors' time as much as you value precise measurements. After all, efficiency is just as crucial in web design as it is in your meticulously planned experiments.
3. Content Organization: Bringing Method to the Madness
Let's face it, organizing content on a lab website can feel a bit like trying to tidy up your cluttered desktop full of spreadsheets, drafts, and other files. But just like folders on your computer, a well-organized website makes everything easier to find and understand. It's time to bring some of those organizing systems to your web design.
Start by grouping related information into clear sections. Place your groundbreaking research projects on a separate page from your team's fun bios, and your impressive publications distinct from your contact info. This logical grouping helps visitors find what they're looking for without getting lost in a sea of information - no life preserver required.
Headings and subheadings are your new best friends. Use them liberally, like signposts guiding visitors through your site. They break up large chunks of text and make it easy for readers to scan and find the juicy details. It's like providing a table of contents for each page of your website. It will also help your website to stand out better for relevant search terms so more people can find out about the impact that you’re having.
Lastly, consistency is key. Use a consistent layout across all pages of your lab website. This doesn't mean every page should look identical (boring!), but there should be a clear, recognizable structure. It's like following a standard protocol across different experiments - it makes everything more efficient and reduces confusion. A consistent layout helps visitors feel comfortable navigating your site, no matter which page they're on. It also helps to create a cohesive brand to your lab, something that will stick in your visitors’ minds.
4. Research Showcase: Your Lab's Greatest Hits Album
Your lab's work is the real star here, so let's make it shine brighter than a supernova. A well-crafted research showcase not only highlights your lab's achievements but also attracts potential collaborators and students like moths to a flame (or should we say, like grad students to free pizza?).
Feature your current projects and publications prominently. Think of it as your lab's scientific playlist - you want to put your chart-toppers front and center. This gives visitors an immediate sense of your lab's focus and recent accomplishments. This can also bring potential funding to where it is needed most immediately.
This media campaign for Revive & Restore generated millions of views worldwide across news and media platforms.
And don't forget the power of visuals. Include a media gallery of research eye candy - images, diagrams, or even short videos. We designed this carousel of images for the featured projects of one of our clients, The Leger Lab. Getting creative with formatting how you present your research can help explain complex concepts and make your research more engaging and accessible to a broader audience. It's like adding illustrations to a textbook - suddenly, everything becomes clearer and more interesting. Our Impact Media Lab illustrator, Bailey, creates these beautiful infographics that capture tons of attention on platforms like Instagram.
5. Team Profiles: The Fantastic Faces Behind the Science
Science is a human endeavor, and let's face it, people are often just as interested in the cool cats doing the research as they are in the research itself. Team profiles add a personal touch to your lab website and help visitors connect with your work on a more personal level. This is how we get your lab’s personality to shine.
Provide brief bios of your lab members, highlighting their research interests, expertise, and maybe a fun fact or two. This not only showcases the diverse talents in your lab but also makes your team more approachable. It's like introducing your lab mates at a conference mixer - it helps break the ice and could lead to some fantastic collaborations.
Don't forget to include contact information for key personnel. This makes it easy for interested parties to reach out, whether it's a student dreaming of joining your lab or a fellow researcher proposing a collaboration that could change the world. Think of it as leaving your business card at a networking event - you never know, the next big scientific collaboration could be just one email away.
6. Resources Section: Sharing the Wealth of Knowledge
A resources section on your lab website can be a treasure trove for both your team and the wider scientific community. It's like having a well-stocked supply room in your lab; it makes everyone's work easier and more efficient. Plus, it's a great way to show off your lab's expertise and generosity.
Offer downloadable papers or datasets related to your research. This not only increases the visibility of your work but also promotes open science and collaboration. It's like sharing your secret recipes - it helps advance the field as a whole.
Don't stop there - link to relevant external resources too. This could include databases, software tools, or educational materials related to your field of study. By curating these resources, you're providing value to your website visitors and positioning your lab as a knowledgeable authority in your field. It's like being the cool teacher who always has extra handouts and helpful tips.
7. News and Updates: Keeping the Science Fresh
Science is always moving forward, and your lab website should reflect that dynamism. A news and updates section keeps your site fresh and gives repeat visitors a reason to keep coming back. It's like having a 'What's New in Science?' billboard right on your digital doorstep!
Maintain a blog or news section where you can share recent publications, conference presentations, or exciting developments in your research. Did your grad student just make a breakthrough? Did your postdoc win an award? Did a new student join your lab? Share it!
If your lab is active on social media (and if you're not, maybe it's time to start?), consider integrating your feeds into your website. This can provide real-time updates and give visitors a sense of the day-to-day life in your lab. Share those #LabLife moments - the triumphs, the failures, and yes, even the occasional lab dance parties. It's a great way to show the human side of your research and engage with a broader audience.
8. Contact Information: Always Open for Science Business
Last but certainly not least, make sure your lab website has clear and accessible contact information. Whether they're interested in collaboration, have questions about your mind-blowing research, or are considering joining your science squad, you want them to be able to get in touch without breaking a sweat.
Provide multiple ways to get in touch. This could include email addresses, phone numbers, or even social media profiles for those who prefer less formal communication channels.
Including a contact form can be particularly useful. It provides a structured way for visitors to send inquiries directly from your website. Plus, it can help filter and organize incoming messages, much like a well-designed experimental workflow streamlines data collection.
And if you’re open to take Zoom calls, we find that having a scheduling calendar set up with Calendly or other service works great adding an additional personal touch.
Remember, every contact could be a potential opportunity, so make sure your lab is more open and accessible than a 24/7 convenience store.
Lab Website = Your Lab's Digital Science Playground
Remember, your website is more than just a digital brochure; it's a powerful tool for communication, collaboration, and outreach. It's your lab's chance to shine in the vast digital universe.
By focusing on clear navigation, responsive design, accessibility, and well-organized content, you're not just building a website - you're creating a welcoming digital home for your lab. It's a place where colleagues can geek out over your latest breakthroughs, students can get inspired to join your team (and maybe bring donuts), and funders can see the incredible impact of your work.
At Impact Media Lab, we're passionate about helping awesome researchers like you make your mark in the digital world. We hope this guide has given you some valuable insights and inspiration for your lab website. And if you’re looking for more guidance on creating the ideal website for your lab’s research, reach out and schedule a chat with us. Remember, in the world of science communication, a great website can be just as important as a groundbreaking paper (and usually involves fewer revisions). So go ahead, apply these principles, and watch your lab's online presence grow!
Now, go forth and create a website that's as brilliant as your science.
About the author
Impact Media Lab is a small-but-mighty creative team specializing in science brands, media, and strategy. We believe science can lead to seismic shifts in how we understand the world, but it takes great communication to make it happen.