Hello Headsetsdotcom ~
This was a very interesting opportunity to browse through a site whose
subject matter I know little about. I never realized there were so
many types of headsets for so many systems!
=====================
Overall Perceptions
=====================
The wide variety you offer is also part of the problem I found with
the site. Unless your user is someone who really knows all those
terms, or what he wants, the site is overwhelming! I had a great deal
of difficulty focusing on any one area to even start!
The present site (yes, I peeked) at www.headsets.com, is easier to
take in and find a place from which to start.
Use of Color
------------
The choice of colors you are using, that sort of 'navy' blue and
orangey/yellow was very popular about a year ago. Actually, the
lighter blue/gold color actually lends itself better to an
informational site. There is more an air of 'authority' to that
particular color combination. (There really is a reason IBM uses that
particular shade of blue!)
Text Size
---------
I found the fact that I couldn't change the text size disconcerting.
While it is true that just over half the monitors out there are 17",
with resolution set at 800x600, on higher resolution, that is any flat
panel over 17" or any 19" monitor, set at a higher resolution, the
text size is extremely small. I found myself squinting at times trying
to read the text, especially the bold blue text in the menus. I
guarantee you that you will have about half your visitors leave for no
other reason than the type is too small.
I know you are looking for this review on the issue of usability, so I
will direct your attention to the champion of usability, Jakob
Nielsen, and what he says about letting the user control text size in
his August 19, 2002, column, "Let Users Control Font Size".
- http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20020819.html
The Headset Wizard
------------------
I found the Headset Wizard helpful, and I would suggest you give it a
more prominent place on the page for those who have no idea what they
need. I did find your putting the "Order our Catalog" above the
choices annoying. While I understand the reasoning behind it, I think
that should be below the choices the Wizard gives me to look at.
No Link to 'Home'
-----------------
I found it annoying to have to use the back button (sometimes several
times) to get back to the 'Home' page to start over again. Please add
a link to home!
No Text Links at Bottom of Page
-------------------------------
If I can't find a link (like 'home') in the navigation bars, I always
go to the bottom of the page for the text links ... OOPS! None there.
Where is the information I need?
======================
Search
======================
Search isn't functioning and the search returns this message:
"Content-type: text/html
Software error:
Bad format file: No row definition.
For help, please send mail to the webmaster (admin), giving
this error message and the time and date of the error."
=======================
Top Navigation Bar
=======================
Company Information
-------------------
No Privacy Policy -
One of the first things I look for is a privacy policy, especially
in light of all the testimonials you are running. I couldn't find one,
either stand-alone or under Company Information.
Aha! I found it later under "Customer Resources" ... this doesn't seem
a logical place to put it.
Staff Profiles -
This was a warm page and interesting to read, especially their
choice of headsets.
Lori Tusa and Rick Mills photos are missing.
- http://www.masterman.com/headsets/company/staff_profiles.html
=======================
Customer Resources
=======================
1. FAQ and Site Map
-------------------
I'm sure you know, but the FAQ and Site Map aren't finished.
2. Privacy Policy
-----------------
I was surprised to find your Privacy Policy 'hidden' in Customer
Resources and not easily found without digging for it. I was
surprised, that is, until I read it.
"Next, it means we do rent and swap name lists with other direct
marketing companies."
That clause would make me decide NOT to do business with your company.
I get enough junk mail via USPS, not to mention SPAM out the wazoo. No
thank you, I don't care to do business with a firm that will rent or
swap my name to another direct marketing company.
=======================
Buyers Guide
=======================
1. Headset Wizard & The Right One
---------------------------------
It makes sense that they're both the same page, that is, "The Right
One" also goes to the Headset Wizard Page. Just pointing it out, in
case it was not intentional.
2. Staff Pics
-------------
I was surprised to find the Staff Pics under the buyers' guide, I
suppose that's because of their preferences? It just seemed more like
an 'error' for it to be on the drop down menu.
If it *is* there because of the staff preferences, you might want to
change the name to reflect it is your staff's preferences.
=======================
Computer
=======================
The links here make sense, although I would seriously consider moving
a link to Computer Recommendations out to the main page. As previously
stated, there are so many ways to go, this is a better resource for
the uninitiated than (even) the Headset Wizard, it has information and
an idea WHERE to start on this very complex website.
=======================
Cellular
=======================
1. Cellular Headsets -
Cellular Headsets sorted by price from highest to lowest
-----------------------------------------------------------
Many of the graphics links on this page are broken. There are too many
to mention, but there are a total of 43.
2. Your Cellular Recommendations page makes sense there, too, but I
would place a link to that page on the front page of the site.
=======================
Selection Style
=======================
When trying to find a headset using your "selection" boxes, I found
errors.
For instance:
Click on Corded Headsets
Click on Plantronics (under "View by Manufacturer")
Click on any style EXCEPT All Styles and you get this message:
"No items exactly matched your request. However, we did find some
choices with different style"
If this is because the site isn't complete, then it is understandable.
If not, you have an error there.
I found this anomaly in a number of instances. Could this also be
because you don't carry every product by Plantronics? I just couldn't
tell for sure what it was, but I do know that in some instances the
Plantronics site would have one that didn't seem to come up when I
thought product should, instead of suggesting another product.
When choosing from your categories "View by Manufacturer", "View by
Style", "View by mic" and "View by Connector", it was a bit unnerving
watching the page change after clicking on each of those, it would be
easier and less disruptive to make all the choices and get one
results. This gets very confusing on a dialup connection which takes
longer to load some of the longer results variables.
=======================
Comparisons
=======================
When I compared products, some had stars for ratings. I couldn't
determine whose ratings those were. It would help your users to
understand who is doing the rating, and even better - why it gets a
certain rating.
Does that mean it's better than an unrated product? Or only that the
unrated hasn't been rated??
Where/how can you help your visitor understand?
=======================
Checkout
=======================
The most noticeable thing about your checkout page is the lack of a
secure checkout on the page where one is supposed to enter the
information. Chances are a lot of visitors wouldn't notice, but many
would and would not be inclined to enter personal information,
especially credit card information, on an insecure form.
There is a missing graphic "submit query" and what appear to be broken
graphics links just above the blue at the bottom of the page.
- http://www.masterman.com/cgi-bin/cart/checkout.cgi
=======================
Summary
=======================
The site makes sense once your visitor has a chance to use it.
However, there will be others who will be overwhelmed by all the
choices to get to information and will click away.
Make it easier on your visitors who are either new to the Internet or
new to the subject to feel comfortable on the site.
Although you have a spot for your Headset Wizard, which helps those
who *do* know what they're looking for get started, your
recommendations on the types of headsets should have a prominent place
on the home page, for those who haven't an idea what they're looking
for.
The lack of a "home" link from every page makes it difficult to
re-orient if there was some mistake. That is definitely something
visitors have come to expect. Its absence gets noticed.
If you do indeed swap and rent your customer list with other direct
marketers (and that isn't a typo), it is commendable that you mention
it. On the other hand, it is unfair that your link to the page is
hidden - you should make a link to that policy available from every
page the visitor has the opportunity to "Add to the Shopping Cart".
Shipping costs, while covered under the "Fast/Reliable Delivery" link
from the home page and with a link under Customer Resources, there
should also be a link to shipping information from every page which
delivers results, so your visitor has that information available at
the time he needs it.
K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple!) is always a good rule of thumb. The object
should be to get your visitor, whether a repeat customer or a
first-time visitor, to the information as quickly as possible.
Thanks again for the chance to learn about all the different types of
headsets, it really was an interesting surf. I finally found a place
to get a foam ear cover replacement for my own Plantronics hands-free
set.
Warm regards,
Serenata |
,
0 Comments
)