Question

Topic: Website Critique

Website Presentation Questions

Posted by Anonymous on 5/2/2007 at 10:43 AM ET 250 Points
We are working with a company on designing a new website for our company. We sell an enterprise level facility and maintenance software solution. The software includes so many features and applies to so many industries and in so many different ways. I understand you can't be everything for everybody. The goal of the website is to inform the user and entice them to contact us for a demo/sale. They are looking quickly for either have they done this for someone like me = "markets" or I need it to do this for me "work order mgmt".


The home page design concept we have come up with so far includes:

horizontal header with the product logo and brief description. Also within the header to the far right is Markets and links to government, retail, etc.
In between the two I was thinking of a picture of our Software box, so immediately you see what we sell.
or
It has been suggested to use a person to relate to Markets.
Do you find one more beneficial than the other?

Also,
The lower half has a scroll over menu where the text and picture changes. The menu is topic relevant to the prospect looking at our site. Work order management, Field service management, asset management, etc.

The text is a brief intro and bullet list and click for more info. There will be a picture that changes here too.
Either a picture relevant to menu item such as asset management show a HVAC unit or Field Service mgmt show a Technician with a PDA, etc.
Or
Show screenshots relating to the menu.
Do you find one more beneficial than the other?

My concern is at this point the user does not know what the screenshots even do. On the other hand they may like to see the product??

Any feedback and suggestions would be appreciated!
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Harry Hallman on 5/2/2007 at 11:07 AM Member
    If you are not getting input on what works to help you sell better you are working with the wrong web developer.
  • Posted on 5/2/2007 at 11:15 AM Author
    I am getting their help, but we differ on some areas. So I wanted to get others opinions.
    I do not always like a person in the header with no real meaning. I feel the software box says more. They make the good point that is has a more personal touch and relates to markets.
  • Posted by Tracey on 5/2/2007 at 12:03 PM Accepted
    When people are first glancing at your website, I think they typically relate better to people photos, provided that it's obvious what industry the people are in. I would wait until further into the website - when you present deeper product descriptions - to show the screenshots. Then they can compare the screenshots to real features. If you have a mockup of the website you can share with us, we could give you more specific feedback.
  • Posted on 5/2/2007 at 1:19 PM Author
    Thank you for your responses so far. An input, feedback, experiences are appreciated.

    I will pose the search engine questions to my designer.

    Tracey - How would I share this with you? would I send it to your email address?
  • Posted by NatashaChernavska on 5/3/2007 at 12:12 AM Accepted
    Hello, mmcelyea

    Here are answers to your questions and my ideas regarding your project:

    First of all your copy should be perfect. You need to put yourself in customer shoes and ask questions which a typical customer will ask and then answer them and place the answer logically as your website wording.

    It's hard to make suggestions about the hypothetical, non existing design, but what you are describing should be nice. Regarding the image of a person, I agree with KSA, you would rather need an image of the process or the result which your product and software help with. I would use images of people only if they are related to the concept.

    I don't really understand what you mean by scroll over. If it's drop down, then it's OK, If you will have a scrolling bar in addition to browser's scrolling bar, then I don't like it. If you want to put some relevant information of relevant links to your project which can help your visitors, I would think twice about it, and make it obvious that it's not a part of your project, but just a complimentary information.

    If you are making a bullet list with "more info" unfolding pages, make sure that you put enough information to the header (text that goes after the bullet point and before "more info" link).

    Regarding images used in the design, if it's not an artistic project, all images have to be very much relevant to the content. the purpose of images - is to create a specific mood. Just test any image you will be trying for your project, and check if they create the mood you want your customer to have.

    A very good thing would be to give your customers an opportunity to download a trial or demo version of your software or at least well created power point or flash presentation where you may use screen shots with necessary explanation by voice over.

    Make suer that you have done a SEO.

    Drop a link to the bets version of your website as soon as it's complete, we will be able to give you a much better advise! Anyway,

    Good Luck!

    Natasha Chernyavskaya.
  • Posted by Tracey on 5/4/2007 at 5:12 PM Member
    Yes, you could email it to me, or you could post a link here.
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