Know-How Exchange : Website Critique

The scrolling menus are a distraction.

When looking at the Education data, I'd prefer to see the summary attainment for each of the categories in a single window, rather than having to click each category separately.

Likewise, it would be nice to have a dashboard view of all the categories, with a clear ++/+/0/-/-- (or whatever scale you wish to use) to indicate how Pittsburgh rates across all categories. This snapshot would be useful for quick impressions and also comparing one region to another.

Ditto on the scrolling menus.

I feel like the site doesn't have much personality. I would like to see more images from around the region. The content drill down pages do not have any images (at least the ones I looked at). It sounds like purpose of the site is to get people excited about Pittsburgh. The data is great and very helpful but some pictures might pull at people's heart strings more.

Some of the data seems to be lacking. I checked out Transportation - Airports - Markets served and all it showed was Pittsburgh. This did not make sense to me. I was assuming that it would show places I could get to from the Pittsburgh airport. I would not include data unless it makes sense and is complete. In complete data can actually be a detriment.

The site does seem to be chockfull of information which is great. I just think it needs to have an injection of personality.

Hope this helps,
Mike

I'm one of the folks who doesn't like all the scrolling menus at the top. I think it makes navigation difficult.

I know the site is all about the data, but it just seems so bland and dry. I want to see images that go with the data - people places and things will add a lot of personality to the site. They also allow the eye to rest a bit between blocks of text. When this happens, people hang around longer, and read more.

One thing I do like about the site is the circular images you use as content identifiers.

Positives:

Color pallet is clean.
The typeface is clean, albeit a little small for some audiences.
The tabs at the top are clean.
Identity is at the top and easily idenitifed. Try it on the left just for weight and see.

Negatives:
Scrolling menu thingy is distracting
The typeface pt size is inconsistent in the 2 columns
The columns are balanced 50/50 which creates an anxiousness about priority. Widen the left, reduce the right.
It's OK to widen to 1000 pix, or if you intend to keep narrow, need to do something with all that whitespace. Suggest an offsetting background to frame for folks who browse at greater than 1280.

In general, a good looking site!

you really need proper site navigation menus. Navigating the existing site is simply a free for all with very little organization to the presentation.

The font in the scroller is way too small and it is very hard to read scrolling left/right/left/right. Just too much action, Fish eye effect alone would be good.

Lose the RED type as a header or move to Bold and larger size would be preferable than just red.

My two cents worth.

The hierarchy of headings is a bit scattered for me - small scrolling tab headings, medium sized "Pittsburgh Today: Thinking Big" and a large "Region's Forums". Where am I supposed to look first? What's the priority?

Same with the hierarchy of font sizes. Why are some mouse type and others larger. There doesn't seem to be any logic there.

The scrolling menu is not only distracting, it doesn't give the user an immediate sense of the site's content. You only see six topics at one time while the rest of off the page. By making the navigation scroll, you're assuming a new user is willing to wait to see them all, as well remember the topics that just scrolled past. A lot to ask of a new user.

The scrolling menu also disappears depending on which major section you go to. Users like familiarity on sites. While I dislike the scrolling menu, if you must keep it, have it appear on every page.

The font in several areas is way too small.

You don't tell people what the site is about until below About our Region. That information should be up at the top (below navigation is okay), and in a larger font. If a new user can't figure out what is a site's purpose in the first couple of seconds, you've usually lost them.

Having said this, the Pittsburgh Today: Thinking Big section just tells a user what is on the site, but not why they should care. You might want to switch the order of the two sentences so the Why is answered before the What. Even still, you might want to rewrite that blurb to be more impactful.

Is there anyway to integrate the Typepad information into the site? While it's not a show-stopper, it would make the site more cohesive.

Otherwise, the site does seem to be full of great data.

Best of luck!

The site lacks personality although is very conservative...maybe too much. I am missing more "solidness" to it, more strength so I can get the sense that is credible and worth to read. As a first time user nothing attracts me, besides the image at the home page that gives dynamism to it.

I agree with the rest of the opinions, the font is too small.

I don't like the menu buttons at the top. They are distracting and I can't tell where to begin clicking.

Only constructive criticism, don't take me wrong :)

Good luck!

Patricia

The photos caught my eye. This helped me realize an opportunity to improve.

I saw an outline of the Pittsburgh geographic area, then it scrolled on to something else. I wanted to go back, but the auto-scroll of the photos didn't offer me a clear way to return to one that interested me.

Adding a "previous" and "next" might do the trick.

What is your target demographic? If it is over 35, the font is one to two sizes too small.

One of the previous respondents was dead on. You get me there but give me no reason to stay. For ex. I have to cursor down half a page to find out whats new. what's new is what will keep me coming back at least that is the thought

Scroll thing has been mentioned before so I will not belabor it. Did you think about putting the menu bar down the side instead of the top. Why because it lets you move more important stuff up and front and center in front of the reader.

Want to see a site that has what I consider a great layout look at artdaily.org or .com. When you go into the site you get a lead story each day. Maybe you all don't have the bandwidth to do that but how about a pittsburgh pic of the day or pic of the week.

I tried the survey but found it was locals only or so I thought when I went in. I don't think the survey is the most important thing so again move it out unless you want to use it for buzz (like take the survey and win dinner for two at ??? or win a trip to the ballpark or the andy warhol museum or any of a dozen different fun things about pittsburgh.

Lots of other folks have said it but figure out who your audience is, where their interests lie, give them a reason to come in and sit a spell and a reason to come back and you have the makings of a vibrant site.

I would even go so far as to consider a sound off section and a good karma section (let readers blog about the things they love and hate in the pittsburgh environs.

best of luck from the other side of the state.

Go Steelers (at least when you are not playing the Eagles)

You know i just went back and took a fresh look at it.

I stick with my thoughts about the flashing being "a bit" distracting. But, I want to step out and go on record. I disagree strongly with any of the folks who want you to jazz up the look.

Here is why:
It carries important information about your city. It has the look and feel of the wall street journal or some other stately publication. Flash discounts its content.

Fix the minor stuff, leave the rest alone - and drive other communities do do the same thing. This is a valuable resource.

I agree with all the points above:
Majority speaks about the scrolling and small font size. The poeple involved in interacting with your website should be lead to read information. the naming of links has not been taken care of. The website looks very good compared to other similar ones.

Small tickle idea:
You got response from Marketing profs due to the fact that MP's wrote to us requesting replies. Are you doing the same within your community?