It was time - the rewrite is going well and some beta users are testing out some rewritten features. And so it was time to start building out the website so that when the application goes into full beta in a few weeks, my beta users can test out the website and support tools while they're using the application.
fitnesstracker.ca v2
The first version was just released about a month ago - it was based on an old template that I use for my personal website. But I have learned a lot about design this quarter and decided to show off some of what I have learned and build a nicer looking website with more content and better performance.
In other words, the 200 x 200 icons are a thing of the past.
Performance
The last website was quite fast but this website is a magnitude faster. Whereas the old website used UIKit as a base framework all the CSS is custom here. The performance increase was immediately apparent. This website also self hosts all fonts which is faster and likely a little better for privacy.
Better looks?
This is debatable but let's be blunt, the old 200x200 pixel UIKit icons really didn't work. The new website has succeeded here but the bar was so low that the average crow could design a better looking site. Cue obvious murder jokes.
More Accessible
The old template is older and predates Greg Hluska Consulting's accessibility initiative. The new template was built with the accessibility initiative in mind and is much more accessible.
More Content
As we get closer to release, we need stuff. For example, you can use Fitness Tracker to plan full workouts so we needed a data source with exercises. We could just make that available to customers but health information should be free so it belongs on the website. That section is live though will undergo a lot of changes in the next few weeks.
We also have a support section - there isn't much content here but I will add a number of pages when the application is back in beta testing.
Big Thanks
Fitness Tracker - the application and the website - are both in good shape because of the tireless efforts of some friends, family and beta testers. My Dad has been huge as always; he's the best release consultant I have ever met. My fantasy baseball league was all there when I got out of the hospital and so they've been around for the whole Fitness Tracker journey. Their work beta testing, bizarre insults and good friendship has been incredibly helpful.
And finally to the rest of my beta testers who have been much kinder - you have helped me take this from an idea to something real. I owe you all.