Verizon’s Current Homepage (desktop)

Verizon’s current homepage presents an overwhelming amount of information, resulting in a cluttered and confusing user experience. Instead of guiding users efficiently, the excessive content and complex layout create decision fatigue, making it difficult for visitors to find what they need.

Too much information packed into small areas forces users to sift through promotions, product details, and plan comparisons all at once, complicating navigation and reducing clarity. This lack of hierarchy and structure leads to frustration, causing users to feel lost or unsure of their next steps. A more streamlined and user-friendly design is essential to improve engagement and usability.

Best Practices for Enhancing Verizon’s Homepage UI (Desktop)

Content Hierarchy & Visual Clarity – Prioritize essential information, reduce cognitive load, and ensure a clear flow of information.

  1. Simplified Navigation – Implement an intuitive menu structure, reduce unnecessary links, and use clear CTAs (Call-to-Actions).

  2. Minimalist Design Approach – Reduce clutter, use whitespace effectively, and maintain a modern, streamlined layout.

  3. Mobile-First Optimization – Ensure the design is responsive, accessible, and performs well on mobile devices.

  4. Consistent Branding & Visual Identity – Align with Verizon’s brand guidelines while improving layout and usability.

  5. Personalization & User Guidance – Introduce personalized elements or guided interactions that help users find what they need quickly.

User Persona & User Journey Map

Sample User Stories & Acceptance Criteria

Navigation & Menu Improvements

  • User Story: As a user, I want to see a dropdown menu in the navigation bar so that I can quickly preview and access options without leaving the homepage.
    ✅ The navigation bar includes dropdown menus for Plans, Devices, Deals, and Support.
    ✅ Hovering over a menu item should display the dropdown instantly.
    ✅ The dropdown should be organized and scannable, showing key options without excessive clutter.
    ✅ Clicking a menu item in the dropdown should navigate to the respective page.

  • User Story: As a user, I want a simplified menu structure so that I don’t feel overwhelmed by too many choices at once.
    ✅ The main navigation should contain no more than 5-7 primary categories.
    ✅ Subcategories within dropdowns should be logically grouped and labeled.
    ✅ Irrelevant or redundant links should be removed to prevent confusion.

  • User Story: As a user, I want clear menu categories for Plans, Devices, Deals, and Support so that I can easily find the section I need.
    ✅ Each category (Plans, Devices, Deals, Support) should have a dedicated dropdown.
    ✅ Subcategories should be descriptive and follow a predictable structure.

  • User Story: As a user, I want the navigation bar to remain sticky at the top of the page so that I can access it anytime without scrolling back up.
    ✅ The navigation bar should remain fixed when the user scrolls down the page.
    ✅ The sticky nav should not obstruct content or take up excessive screen space.

  • User Story: As a user, I want visually distinct icons in the menu so that I can quickly differentiate between sections.
    ✅ Each primary category should include a simple, recognizable icon for easy identification.
    ✅ Icons should be consistent in style and size across the navigation.

  • User Story: As a user, I want a hover state on menu items so that I receive visual feedback before selecting an option.
    ✅ When hovering over a menu item, it should change color, boldness, or display an underline.
    ✅ Dropdowns should appear instantly upon hover for quick access.

Homepage Layout & Content Hierarchy

  • User Story: As a user, I want a clean and organized homepage layout so that I can easily scan information without being overwhelmed.
    ✅ Sections should be visually distinct, with proper use of whitespace.
    ✅ The homepage should be structured in a clear, logical order.

  • User Story: As a user, I want the homepage to prioritize one primary promotion at a time so that I can focus on key offers without distractions.
    ✅ Only one main promotional banner should be featured at the top.
    ✅ Other offers should be secondary and positioned further down the page.

  • User Story: As a user, I want a visually distinct call-to-action (CTA) button so that I can quickly take action on promotions or plan selections.
    ✅ Primary CTAs should be bold and easily recognizable.
    ✅ CTAs should be above the fold and stand out from other content.

  • User Story: As a user, I want a streamlined content hierarchy so that the most important information appears first.
    ✅ The top of the page should feature key promotions and offers.
    ✅ Less important sections should be placed lower on the page.

  • User Story: As a user, I want whitespace between sections so that the homepage feels uncluttered and easy to navigate.
    ✅ Each section should have adequate spacing to prevent a cluttered appearance.
    ✅ There should be no excessive overlapping of text and images.

  • User Story: As a user, I want a modernized homepage that aligns with best UX practices so that my experience is intuitive and engaging.
    ✅ The homepage should follow modern UI/UX design trends (e.g., large typography, visual balance).
    ✅ The color scheme and branding should be consistent with Verizon’s identity.

Promotional Offers & Deals Visibility

  • User Story: As a user, I want a dedicated "Deals" dropdown in the menu so that I can easily find ongoing promotions.
    ✅ The "Deals" menu should have a dropdown with all current offers.
    ✅ Users should be able to filter deals by category (e.g., phones, internet, bundles).

  • User Story: As a user, I want to see a limited-time offer banner so that I feel urgency to take action.
    ✅ Limited-time offers should include a countdown timer or "Expires Soon" tag.
    ✅ The banner should be above the fold for visibility.

  • User Story: As a user, I want a "Best Value" tag on featured deals so that I can quickly identify the most cost-effective option.
    ✅ Deals should have a "Best Value" or "Exclusive Offer" badge.
    ✅ The most competitive deal should be highlighted visually.

Search & Support Experience

  • User Story: As a user, I want a search bar that provides real-time suggestions so that I can quickly find relevant content.
    ✅ The search bar should have auto-suggestions as the user types.
    ✅ Relevant results should appear instantly without page reload.

  • User Story: As a user, I want a dropdown in the "Customer & Support" menu so that I can access chat, FAQs, and troubleshooting without leaving the page.
    ✅ The Support menu should include Chat, FAQs, Order Status, and Help Center.
    ✅ Clicking a support option should open it within the same page (modal or dropdown).

  • User Story: As a user, I want a “Find a Store” option easily accessible so that I can locate the nearest Verizon store without hassle.
    ✅ The store locator should be in the top navigation bar.
    ✅ Users should be able to search by ZIP code and filter store types.

Mobile Optimization & Responsiveness

  • User Story: As a user, I want the homepage to be fully responsive so that my experience is seamless on all devices.
    ✅ The homepage should adapt to all screen sizes without content cutoff.
    ✅ Navigation should be optimized for touch interactions.

  • User Story: As a user, I want CTA buttons to be large and easy to tap on mobile so that I can take action without accidental clicks.
    ✅ All CTAs should have a minimum tap target size of 48px.
    ✅ Buttons should be spaced adequately to avoid accidental taps.

  • User Story: As a user, I want dropdown menus to be touch-friendly on mobile so that I can easily navigate.
    ✅ Dropdown menus should be tap-activated instead of hover-based.
    ✅ Users should be able to scroll within the dropdown without triggering unwanted clicks.

Wireframe

  • Minimalist Navigation Bar – Clearly defined menu options (Plans, Phones & Devices, Offers, Coverage, etc.), reducing clutter and improving usability.

  • Sticky Header for Quick Access – Includes essential navigation links (Find a Store, Contact & Support, Cart, Search, My Account) for easy user access.

  • Dedicated Banner Section – A clean, single-line banner to display important messages without overwhelming the page.

  • Primary Promotion Focus – A large, high-visibility hero section for promotions, ensuring users immediately see key offers.

  • Well-Structured Layout – Sections are visually separated with ample whitespace, creating a clean and modern user experience.

  • No Excessive Content Blocks – Simplified UI focusing on essential elements, eliminating distractions and decision fatigue.

Current

Prototype

Next Steps At a Glance

Usability Testing & Iteration

Goal: Validate the new design with real users before development.

  • Conduct user testing sessions to gather feedback on ease of use and clarity.

  • Identify any pain points or usability issues from test users.

  • Iterate and refine the design based on user feedback.

Developer Handoff & Implementation

Goal: Prepare assets and documentation for front-end development.

  • Create a design specification document with font styles, color codes, and spacing guidelines.

  • Export UI components (buttons, icons, dropdowns) as assets for development teams.

  • Work with developers to ensure the final product matches the prototype.

Launch & Post-Launch Optimization

Goal: Monitor performance after launch and optimize based on analytics.

  • Track engagement metrics (bounce rates, conversions, time on page).

  • Gather post-launch user feedback for improvements.

  • Implement A/B testing for promotional banners, CTA placements, and navigation tweaks.

Summary

This project started with a simple but crucial observation—Verizon's desktop homepage felt cluttered, outdated, and overwhelming. The user experience was hindered by information overload, poor navigation, and a lack of content hierarchy. To address these issues, we took a structured approach, beginning with a deep dive into the current design and comparing it to industry best practices. We created a Tech-Savvy Shopper persona, Amy, to map out user frustrations and streamline the journey, ensuring a smoother and more intuitive experience. From there, we developed user stories and acceptance criteria, documenting requirements and acceptance criteria that focused on simplified navigation, dropdown menus, and a modernized layout.

Wireframing brought the vision to life, stripping the site down to its essential structure while improving content organization and accessibility. The process wasn’t just about aesthetics—it was about making the homepage work effortlessly for users.

On a personal note, UI/UX design for me, is more than just arranging elements on a screen. It’s about problem solving—taking something chaotic and turning it into something intuitive, where every piece serves a purpose. There’s a certain beauty about transforming a subpar experience into one that feels seamless and natural. Seeing the final prototype with structured navigation, whitespace, and logical content flow felt like cleaning up a messy room—everything finally in its right place. At the end of the day, a great UI doesn’t make users think—it just works, and that’s what makes this process so rewarding.