We’re happy to introduce our updated Glasgow Life website homepage. It’s now brighter, easier to use, and designed with user experience in mind.

Gus O’Callaghan, our Digital Manager for Platforms, led on the refresh.

He explained the project's starting point. “The main problem was that the homepage was very rigid,” he said. “It had a large image that forced people to scroll before they reached any meaningful content.”

He told us the team wanted to make things simple. “The idea is to make the homepage, site structure and navigation easy to understand.

"We want to help users find what they’re looking for. We also want to use everyday language and move away from corporate jargon.”

Making it easy to find what you need

Our users look for quick answers and use simple, everyday words when they search.

Gus explained, “Most of them were using common words and phrases.

“Instead of searching for the name of a specific event, our users most often searched for ‘things to do in Glasgow’ or ‘what to do in Glasgow with a toddler this weekend’.”

So, the team reorganised the homepage and top navigation. “We tried to highlight what users search for and what content is more popular,” he said.

The new homepage and navigation now use clear titles like How can we help you. We’ve taken out technical terms and jargon so everyone can find what they need and browse with confidence.

Showing our impact on the city

Now, our banner features real stories about how Glasgow Life helps the city. Instead of a static image that rarely changes. Gus said, “We aim to showcase as many positive initiatives as possible.

“There are two main visual elements we wanted to bring to the homepage,” he said. “The new branding graphics and more people. Both now sit in the main banner image.”

These changes help show the impact of our charity and reflect our values. We’ve also made useful tools like our chatbot and newsletter sign-up easier to find.

What colleagues will see

Most parts of the homepage have a new look. Navigation is clearer, the banner stands out, and the content blocks now match what people do and search for most on the site.

Gus put it simply, “When we decided to change the homepage, we tried to put our users first before deciding on any option.

“We looked at what the data told us. We looked at how people search for content. We tried to make choices that match how they behave.”

In the coming months, the team will see how people use the site and whether they can find what they need more easily. They’ll also keep an eye on donations and make sure everything works as it should.

How we choose homepage stories

Each month, a group from MarComms and Development picks which stories appear on the homepage. They will choose stories that focus on people and show a clear, positive impact on Glasgow.

Anyone can suggest a story idea. If you have a suggestion, speak to your Marketing and Communication Business Partner. 

This is just the beginning of our work on the website. Watch out for more improvements throughout 2026. 

Special thanks to Fiona Eaton, Frankie Ellis, and Alyson Crawford from the Digital team for their work on the project.