Question

Topic: Website Critique

Cutting Trees And Note-taking ...

Posted by Anonymous on 9/8/2009 at 11:35 AM ET 50 Points
Hi all,

What do you think of the following home pages?

https://www.knowledgenotebook.com/Knowledge_Notebook_Home2.html

vs.

https://www.knowledgenotebook.com/

Thanks.

Don
Chunshen Li
P.S. I would have to obtain permission to use the cartoon image formally for now it's a link to a remote image
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Frank Hurtte on 9/8/2009 at 11:40 AM Accepted
    I like the first sight better. I believe that videos make better support pages than landing pages.
  • Posted on 9/8/2009 at 11:44 AM Author
    I appreciate it, also, the "tree" guys image is clickable (link to a support page), but not obvious, probably I should work on that.
  • Posted on 9/8/2009 at 12:36 PM Accepted
    Donli,

    I have looked at both the sites and would agree with the comment from Frank.

    I am not making an opinion here but looking at the message from the perspective of your potential market - students. Humour is an important aspect of any message to a youth group and by using the metaphor in the cartoons to emphasise the difference to the user it will engage them on different levels.

    Think about your customer and what they see at all times. They are the ones using your website and they should be the focus of the information.

    I have written a book on the subject of website development which you can find on Amazon
    https://www.amazon.com/Internet-Marketing-Website-Works-Business/dp/0716030...

    It takes a few weeks to wrrive in the USA but it will be worth reading. Look at the book in Amazon.co.uk where you can read the reviews.

    Best of luck with your project

    Nigel T Packer
  • Posted on 9/8/2009 at 2:54 PM Accepted
    The purpose of the website doesn't stand out. My eyes were drawn to the two men chopping down trees but that doesn't carry any meaning. Beyond that I have no idea what the website does. I glanced around for about 10 seconds, trying not to concetrate too hard.

    Image that your website is a giant bulletin board along a busy freeway. If the purpose of the bulletin doesn't jump out, people will return their attention to the road.

    Here's a few suggestions for improvement:
    1. Add a logo to the top left corner with an accompanying tagline. The logo should be at least 50 pixels tall. Your current header is too small and seems out of place.
    2. Replace the cartoon with a photo of the software. Alternatively, place a stock photo from iStockPhoto.com) of your target demographic studying. This conveys your purpose w/o words. This will also make it look more professional.
    3. Shorten the text under the cartoon and move it to the left of the image in #2.

    Here's a sample website that does what I'm explaining: https://www.mygardenplans.com.
  • Posted on 9/8/2009 at 3:14 PM Author
    @NigelTPacker,

    Thank you, and will keep in mind about your book.
  • Posted on 9/8/2009 at 3:17 PM Author
    @scottbbrady,

    I'll certainly consider your idea of using a photo of target demographic studying.

    Thank you.
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 9/9/2009 at 8:54 AM Accepted
    Don - While you're selling note-taking software, people will purchase it to help them solve a problem. Their problem is probably not "How can I make note-taking easier?" It's more likely, "How can I improve my grades?" or "How can I study less and do as well?". Therefore, both suggested landing pages don't really solve the underlying needs of your visitors. The cartoon page is a disconnect from what you're selling and the video thumbnail image isn't strong enough to make me want to click to watch the video.
  • Posted on 9/9/2009 at 9:31 AM Author
    Jay,

    You're exactly right, the landing page needs to convey two distinctive points quickly, a) taking notes with Knowledge NoteBook is so much easier b) it would help substantially with grades (and probably the b point is demonstrated that well).

    "the video thumbnail image isn't strong enough to make me want to click to watch the video.", interesting observation, how can we improve that?

    Many thanks.

    Don
  • Posted on 9/13/2009 at 10:16 AM Author
    It would be great to receive further thoughts on the current web site before I close this question. I myself still feel the compelling message of "why should I go head downloading and trying out the software isn't strong enough" and in the meantime, the element of Trust must be there as well, that is, this company is a trustworthy one... the software is no going to mess me up etc. etc.

    And thoughts, comments from the target audience, college students would be most helpful.

    Thank you for your time.
  • Posted on 9/14/2009 at 6:37 PM Author
    People, what do you think of the current version?

    Thanks.
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