Feedback for usability of site?

[dcraigdc]

Ok so you have searched for a web designer in London on Google/Overture and you see one of our sponsored links which takes you here:

http://www.theonlinedirectory.co.uk/listings/webdesign/london

My question is, what would YOU do from here if you were looking for a web designer?

Does the page have enough information for you to be confident to send off an enquiry through our site? What would YOU change/add etc.

Any feedback greatly appreciated!

[Coding Monkey]

I'd go here...

http://www.theonlinedirectory.co.uk/listings/webdesign/eastanglia

Then click on "Coding Monkeys" and send them an e-mail. No bias whatsoever

[dcraigdc]

Absolutely none :lol: . Always nice to see a fair and just opinion :wink:

[BlackBerryUK]

link is not working for some reason...

[mattk]

Personal recommendation. That's how you should find a Web designer!

[WakingDragon]

hey dc,

Had a look at the site. Its an interesting idea. Have you checked out creativebrief.com? They are perhaps a competitor of yours although they cover a wider range of services and may be targeted at larger customers.

I would feel totally confortable sending my contact details through your site, but I think you may have a problem with getting briefs online. We used to offer it to our customers and even long-term customers prefer to talk over the phone. Part of the problem is that there is the uncertainty people have rather than a specific lack of trust in you or your site. They will want someone knowledgeable to talk to and this might be where you need to go.

It might be worth giving a phone number as well and encouraging punters to call you to discuss the project. They can get good (independent) advice on what needs to go into their brief and what is realistic. Then you can forward the details for them. Shows your advertisers that you are adding more value as well.

But the site is nice and looks good/reliable/professional to me.

[dcraigdc]

Thanks guys that does seem like a very good point about the number. My only worry is that if we get deluged with calls we will have to get a few guys in. However that said it might be worth testing it out for a day to see if that works.

In terms of the recommendation mattk, thats why we have reviews and ratings of each company. It just keeps the service impartial and means that each time somebody submits a lead we can give them a quick email and ask them to submit an independent review.

[wellnessdirect]

Hi - The site is colourful and well designed.

Could you make each of the company ID's bigger, though? Like ours on this forum, to the left of the info?

I like seeing all of the pertinent information regarding a company - contact name, full address and numbers. Then, the client can call the prospective provider directly, and you get to go home for a change!

Good luck with it,

Donna

[dcraigdc]

The main issue with providing that information is that we are a results driven directory. We make money from sending our firms good qualified leads rather than JUST charging people a flat rate and disappearing.

The issue that we have now is that the words "Online Directory" are almost swearwords in the UK language. So many people have been conned/duped/unfortunate with directories and the main aim of this was to change it all. There is a hell of a lot of experience in the firm in various different fields and this site is really an amalgamation of that experience. As such we want to show people that there ARE firms out there that do what they say. It's going to be a slow couple of months but if we put the leg work in its very doable

[WakingDragon]

try registering a different domain and have it pointed to another home page that runs off the same system but with diferent branding perhaps. that will allow you to compare the relative impact of the name on traffic and responses.

As to the deluge of calls - if you get that then you are doing well so don't knock it! you can always change your business model to suit.

[WomenXtra]

Nice site, and good design

[dcraigdc]

We now have a list of several different keypoints that we are probably going to change/tryout so thanks for all of your input on this guys. As a final question, could you tell me what you DONT like about the site.

Be as harsh as you like in terms of design and mainly usability. If you think an aspect of it could really be improved, let us know!

[Coding Monkey]

I don't like how many other companies are on there. Once again, no bias whatsoever ;)

[WakingDragon]

I don't like the lack of portfolios.

I don't like the lack of graphic designers.

I don't like the 'p>' broken tag on the about us page.

I don't see how you will be able to manage a larger number of agencies without having a clunky list. Then your advertisers will face a similar problem to the old yellow pages dilemma (i.e. do you call yourself 'A1 Web Design' in order to get listed first).

This is why I think you need a customer service aspect to guide people to the right agencies.

[dcraigdc]

Very good points. In answer:

Portfolios are something that we are working on filling up.

The graphic design section is also something we are pitching.

The broken tag was a bloody brilliant spot and will now be fixed.

We only deal with a maximum of eight firms in each region of a category and all of these firms are either limited firms or partnerships. Also a random firm appears in each slot each time. Everybody is paying the same so nobody should appear above anybody. All are equall in this service.

A lot of people have mentioned the customer service aspect and the hand holding. It is probably the major thing we overlooked as we are getting a hell of a lot of unique visitors on our site but a naff conversion rate, probably because of the reasons above. It's being developed and this is what I guess this thread was all about

[WakingDragon]

Hope it works out for you. Done correctly and with suitable service it could really blow competition out of the water.