Seeking Design and U.I. feedback on icees.com

It doesn't matter if you do all the error checking in the world, or if you have the most beautiful graphics, if your site or application design isn't usable, it's not going to do well. Get input and advice on usability and user interface issues here.

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myleow
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Seeking Design and U.I. feedback on icees.com

Post by myleow »

Hi all,

I am looking for Feedback on a site that i have just created.

I got some feedback from friends that says: "Oh its just an Address Book, my PDA and Cell Phone can do that. I don't need to use it"

I tried to re-word the front page a few times but feel that it has stated the points clearly. Need some marketing guru to give me some pointers here.

The fact is PDA and Cell Phones can't do what the service is offering, that's why it is created in the first place. It is difficult to get the message across in the first impression. Help me out here.

If something is not clear please post here and we can discuss it, maybe we can come up with something that can get the message across loud and clear!

The site is ICEES https://www.icees.com/

Thank you for helping

Regards
Mian
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markl999
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Post by markl999 »

The fact is PDA and Cell Phones can't do what the service is offering
Then say that ;) But obviously in more marketing terms. What you need to get across is your USP (Unique Selling Point) and i might even use that as some heading, "What's the USP?"
Maybe even have an FAQ type area, "But can't XYZ already do this?" and answer specific points by pointing out where your product differs.

Also who is this aimed at? Individual users? Businesses? Maybe have a specific area for each type of user that targets their questions/needs?
One thing i've found with selling a product is that you need to immediately grab the visitors attentions by getting across your USP and killing any doubts they may have. If your front page can do that then you can go into more details in the sub pages. Also get some images/screenshots on there as they are always a good attention grabber.
Hope this was constructive enough ;)
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markl999
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Post by markl999 »

Sorry, also meant to add about the login/signup page, you never mention why anyone should sign up. What are the benefits? What do registered members get that vistors don't? I'd mention the incentives.
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feyd
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Post by feyd »

forgot to set background color of the page. Assumes white.. obviously. (or not ;))

okay... no offense meant here:

I think the ~confusion comes from "address book" being stated many times.
  • Not sure about the logo..
  • Consider adding some more whitespace in between the different questions of the FAQ
  • consistency seems to be an issue for the terms and conditions page, as its font color is vastly different from the "normal" color that's used on the privacy, contact and about pages; it was slightly jarring for me when I when to the page.
  • Seems kinda strange having the terms and conditions open a whole new browser.
  • more whitespace is needed between the sections of the terms page
Last edited by feyd on Sat Jan 08, 2005 9:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
myleow
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Post by myleow »

But you have to register to use the service. Hmm....
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feyd
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Post by feyd »

marketing note: Free services attract users.
myleow
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Post by myleow »

I should just add this service is FREE! in the front page.. hehe. I had that in the Terms and Condition, but having it in the front would be much better.

Anyone care to correct my wording for the front page?

The only benefit in registering is to use the service.
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feyd
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Post by feyd »

might want to add that nugget to the faq then.
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markl999
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Post by markl999 »

The only benefit in registering is to use the service.
Your almost answering your own questions here ;)
If you have to register to use the service then say so ;)
Sometimes just listing the obvious on a piece of paper can get you most of the way to describing what you need to get across.
myleow
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Post by myleow »

Is the application of the Service clear?

Is it a plausable application that might be useful?
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markl999
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Post by markl999 »

Is it a plausable application that might be useful?
Well it's definetely not useless but there are definite issues getting the selling points across (even though it is free).
I'd approach it as if you were selling it and then hit them with the "How much does this cost? Nothing!" type line.

I think an example useage/screenshots would go a long way here.
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Post by myleow »

but wouldn't stating something thats very obvious come across as dumb?
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Post by myleow »

hehe all the usage screenshot are inside after you log in. I think i would need to include that in a More Information page. The engine is pretty stable but currently re-writing it because i just started using PHP and the entire thing is written in PHP.
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feyd
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Post by feyd »

The service doesn't come across as being free to me.

I have no clue about this stuff (cellphone addresses) so bare with me..
  • How hard is it to transfer the contacts?
  • How do I transfer the contacts from XYZ to the service?
  • Do the contacts need to use the service in order for them to stay updated?
  • Can it order sushi for me?
  • How many contacts is a person allowed at any given time?
  • What's the roadmap for new features?
  • What phones are supported by this?
  • If my phone is lost/stolen/whatever, how do I get my contacts back on the phone?
  • When a contact updates their information, does the service automatically update my phone?
Last edited by feyd on Sat Jan 08, 2005 9:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
myleow
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Post by myleow »

I am also not the best UI designer and graphic, that's why the site is very limited in the form of presentation.
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