The Challenge
Cheaper Than Therapy Comedy's website hadn't been updated in years, presenting significant user experience and business challenges. However, the bigger obstacle wasn't technical—it was organizational resistance to change rooted in the false belief that "if it's not broken, don't fix it."
- Outdated user experience: Non-responsive design, poor mobile experience
- Confusing information architecture: Critical details buried in FAQ format
- Poor conversion flow: Ticket purchasing required multiple steps and external redirects
- Stakeholder resistance: "It's worked for 12 years, why change now?"
Current Site Issues
- Dense FAQ format for basic info
- Non-responsive mobile experience
- Essential details hard to find
- Multiple external redirects
- Outdated visual design
Redesign Goals
- Essential info prominently displayed
- Mobile-first responsive design
- Clear visual hierarchy
- Streamlined user flows
- Modern, accessible interface
The Real Challenge: Change Management
The technical refresh was straightforward compared to managing stakeholder resistance. After 12 years of using the same site, leadership perceived any change as risky and unnecessary. This required a strategic approach combining data analysis, stakeholder psychology, and gradual adoption strategies.
Strategic Approach
Data-Driven Argumentation
Rather than relying on subjective design opinions, I consulted with Claude to develop a comprehensive data-driven case for change. This involved analyzing user behavior patterns, mobile usage trends, and competitive landscape assessment.
Change Management Strategy
- Evidence gathering: Collected usage analytics, mobile traffic data, and user feedback
- Competitive analysis: Benchmarked against modern comedy venue websites
- Risk mitigation: Developed parallel deployment strategy to minimize disruption
- Stakeholder presentation: Created compelling slide deck with concrete benefits
- Gradual implementation: Planned phased rollout to build confidence
Development Workflow
I used v0 for initial rapid prototyping to quickly visualize concepts, then migrated to Claude Code for detailed implementation and customization. This hybrid approach allowed for fast stakeholder feedback while maintaining development flexibility.
AI-Assisted Presentation Creation
I collaborated with Claude to craft effective messaging strategies, then used its recommendations to build a prompt for Gamma that generated a persuasive slide deck. This presentation focused on business impact rather than aesthetic preferences, making the case for change in terms stakeholders could relate to.
Design Solution
Information Architecture Redesign
The new design prioritizes essential information upfront: showtimes, location, age requirements, and ticket links. Instead of burying critical details in FAQ format, everything a potential attendee needs is immediately visible.
Original Structure
- Essential info in FAQ format
- Show details scattered
- Mobile experience poor
- External ticket redirects
Redesigned Structure
- Key info prominently displayed
- Clear visual hierarchy
- Mobile-optimized layout
- Streamlined conversion flow
User Experience Improvements
The refresh focuses on reducing friction between discovery and ticket purchase. Show information, venue details, and performer bios are presented in a scannable format that works equally well on mobile and desktop.
- Mobile-first design: Optimized for the majority of traffic
- Prominent CTAs: Clear ticket purchase paths
- Essential info display: Ages, times, location visible immediately
- Performer highlights: Builds credibility and interest
- Streamlined navigation: Fewer clicks to key actions
Stakeholder Buy-in Strategy
The presentation deck focused on quantifiable business benefits: improved mobile experience leading to higher conversion rates, better first impressions for new customers, and reduced support inquiries through clearer information presentation.
Impact & Learning Outcomes
Change Management Skills Developed
- Stakeholder Psychology: Understanding resistance patterns and addressing underlying concerns
- Data-Driven Persuasion: Building compelling cases using evidence rather than opinion
- Strategic Communication: Framing change as opportunity rather than criticism
- Risk Mitigation: Designing implementation strategies that minimize perceived risk
Technical Problem-Solving
This project reinforced the importance of choosing the right tool for each phase. v0's rapid prototyping capabilities were perfect for stakeholder demos, while Claude Code provided the flexibility needed for production implementation.
Implementation & Next Steps
With stakeholder approval secured, the focus shifts to careful deployment and performance monitoring. The phased rollout approach allows for real-world validation while maintaining stakeholder confidence through measurable improvements.
- Soft launch: Deploy to staging environment for final stakeholder review
- A/B testing: Compare conversion rates between old and new designs
- Performance monitoring: Track mobile engagement and ticket conversion
- Iterative improvements: Refine based on real user behavior data
This project demonstrates how technical skills must be combined with change management expertise to successfully implement improvements in established organizations. The ability to build data-driven cases for change is just as valuable as the ability to execute the technical solution.