Two Websites Visited Frequently

The two websites that I visit frequently are related to my real estate business. 


California Association of Realtors  - CAR

I have never liked this website and have always found it difficult to navigate.  I realize that there is a lot of information that they need to convey to the public and to the CAR members.  

The home page is very busy and chaotic to me. Changes that I would make:

• Delete or move the "What's New"
• Change the concept, contrast and hierarchy to a display what sections are visited the most and to highlight what is most important to view
• Proximity is there --- it is organized.
• Ease of Use - I find it very difficult to find what I look for and end up googling for the information
• Depth of Content - Since there is so much information, maybe develop different websites for the specific topic

 Here are the questions and answers for the Week 3 assignment:

1. Why are they effective? 
   It is effective with the amount of information to be found (depth of content).... if you can find it!
2. What specific principles of good design do they include and why? 
   I guess it has alignment, proximity-organization.
3. What makes you come back again?
   Because I need the information or links to other services I use.
4. What could be improved?
   ME - and taking the time to learn the website rather than expect the Association to change it!
   

Joe Stumpf's By Referral Only

 This website also has a lot of information but is organized in only a few categories - not as much information as above website.

The main issue I find with this site that I cannot view everything on my iPad because it has not been converted to HTML 5 and is still Adobe Flash.


Here are the questions and answers for the Week 3 assignment:

1. Why are they effective?
   With the information and training videos
2. What specific principles of good design do they include and why?
   Organization makes sense, it is aligned with the depth of content.
3. What makes you come back again?
   For the information and videos.
4. What could be improved?
   It needs modern aesthetics, design and branding.

 

Web Design Critique by an Amateur

The Good – Two websites and what they have done right!

1.  http://apple.com

This is a clean, simplistic website that gives you the information you need to learn about the products on the home page.  It is a clear example of what Steve Jobs stood for – clean, minimalistic, and beautiful. 

Also, in keeping with Steve Jobs philosophy of going his own way without input from the public…. I didn’t find social media icons.

2.  http://www.toyota.com/

Another clean simplistic website that showcases the main points above the fold and has the social media icons along with the necessary information on same page.  I liked the site map that is clear and easy to read.

The Bad -  Two website that have at least three potential problems for visitors. What could be improved on the websites and why?

1.  http://www.ford.com/

This website is too busy…. I didn’t know where to look first.  Interesting that there is a page called “Ford Social” at the top in the first position….. however, I didn’t find the social media icons and didn’t figure out how to interact without some effort.

In any case, the aesthetics with the various pages with scenery and Ford cars makes it somewhat appealing. You know you are on the Ford website with the prominent branding on each page.

By organizing and utilizing drop down lists, they could make the site much easier to read, keep the scenery visual to portray the versatility and appeal to the public.

2.  http://www.swagelok.com/

·       You need to scroll down to view the introduction to the company.

·       Regarding the announcements on the right side, I continued to click on the announcement as I do with most other sites to read the entire message before noticing the “Read the full announcement” at the bottom.  

·       The social media icons are very small …. at least they are above the fold.

·       The Shop, Solve, Learn, Contact that is on the home page is written on it’s side which is hard to read; the good is that it is on every page

The company needs to decide what is most important and place that on home page above the fold.  Is social media important to this company?

The Ugly – Three websites I don’t like and why!

http://tectorch.com  ---  Home page is too busy – eye hits the headline and then flitters around the page trying to decide where to go first.

http://www.richsoil.com/raising-chickens.jsp --- Okay, it’s not my cup of tea and hard to read.

http://www.gforceracecars.com/ --- I don’t like the flashing “*Features Products*” 

Aesthetics, Design and Branding

This class is teaching me so much about what I need to do for my business and the website I have…. Which needs to be redesigned according to what I’ve learned so far.  However, it’s probably best to wait until the end of the class.

The design, aesthetics and branding impacted my reaction in a number of ways.  I’ve always believe that “less is more” and found the sites that were easier to read allowed me to learn more about the products and to navigate to where I wished to visit easily.

Since social media is just reaching it’s tipping point, I wasn’t too surprised to find some sites not embracing it.  I believe we will see a change within the next couple of years as most companies will increase their interaction with the public and their customers.

Social Media and Business

Below are 5 companies that I've done business with in the last year...

Quicken 

• Website:  www.quicken.intuit.com
• Social Media was at the bottom of home page with no icons for Live Community, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter
• Comment:  I didn't see customer posts or interaction on Facebook

Amazon

• Website:  www.Amazon.com
• Social Media was not visible to me on their website.  So, I decided to search and I did find the company's Facebook Page and Twitter.
• Comment:  I didn't see any customer posts or interaction on Facebook

DirecTV

• Website:  www.directv.com 
• Social Media was at the bottom of the home page and was very visible with icons for Facebook Twitter, YouTube, Google+ 
• Comment:  There were a lot of customer complaints on Facebook Page and only a few times DirecTV responded.  One of the customer complaints was for them to fix their problems and not post on Facebook. 

Staples

• Website:  www.Staples.com
• Social Media located at the bottom with title Join us: and the icons for Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn
• Comment:  There is customer interaction on Facebook Page and Staples is on top of all of them with replies, suggestions and offers to help those with problems.

Canon U.S.A.

• Website:  www.shop.usa.canon.com
• Social Media located at the bottom with icons for Facebook/CanonUSA, Twitter, YouTube, Canon Forum
• Comment:  I didn't see any actual customer posts or interaction on Facebook

Taking the time to look at the company websites and how they present their company on Facebook was very interesting.  Only two allowed customers to post on the company page and only Staples was responding actively.

Communicating with Businesses

I've heard of how social media can get results for those who have a complaint against a business; however, I haven't experienced it personally.  Actually, I've never considered using social media with any problems I have had with the vendors I've used.  I'm not sure how to do it either!  So, more learning for me....hooray!

I do know about review sites like Yelp, Angies List, and Google and do look at the reviews to decide whether to stay at the RV Park, go to a restaurants, read a book or hire a company.  

I think I have more questions about using social media with businesses than any true experience:

• How many businesses are a victim of a smear campaign?  It would be interesting to look at the statistics on this.... when I have the time to do so.
• Do you evaluate the various reviews for a company or just accept that the person giving the review is correct?   It's something to really consider.
• Do you take the time to write up reviews?  I sure don't!
• Do you think it's important to do so?  In many case, I think so.

As for having a bad experience communicating with businesses.... every time I need to call for tech support for banking, software programs or computer... I have a bad experience with those that outsource their support department.  I am now wondering about how I can change the service received by my using social media..... something to consider!

So how would you answer the above questions?

Is it Personal or Business?

A bit of research and a wealth of information.... all in several hours of work!  What I discovered about Social Media sites overwhelmed me.  I hadn't realized how many different sites are in cyberspace just waiting to be explored.  

Which social media sites are personal and which are business can be answered with a simple comment.... it depends on your perception and how you would use the site.  For example, Tagged.com seems to be a personal social media site that focuses on playing games and sharing interests with others.  However, for a business developing games, it may be considered a business social media site.

In my Google research for "top social media platforms", I found many different top 10, top 52, best 13 social media sites... so, I decided to look at how I would like to use social media for my real estate business and make my own "Top 10 Social Media" list.

  1.  My blog at SellingProperties.com
  2.  Facebook
  3.  Zillow
  4.  Active Rain
  5.  Trulia
  6.  LinkedIn
  7.  Twitter
  8.  Pinterest
  9.  Meetup
10.  You Tube

There were a few other platforms that I may explore in the future such as Yelp, Bigger Pockets, Foursquare, Instagram, Google+, Ning.... if I ever employ all of the above.  Gee, it may be after completing my social media class at MiraCosta, I will change my top 10 list!

Anyone know of other social media platforms that I may wish to explore?

Social Media and Me

Hello all...  I've taken the big step, jumping off the bridge, diving into the chaos!  I'm taking a class on Social Media in Business!  I'm scared and excited at the same time.

The Travel template I've chosen for my journey into the Social Media world appeals to me due to the vintage background elements to give peace and serenity...  that I need on my Social Media Journey.