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Old homepage The main reason behind the changes is that the old version of the homepage (below) was considered to be too cluttered: <img alt="Old Comet homepage" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/2734552503_ca933dd7a8_o.jpg" /> A recent <a href="/blog/2647-argos-beats-competition-with-user-friendly-web-design">post </a>on our blog, using <a href="http://docs.realeyes.it/Comet/heatcast_time.pps">heatmaps</a>, found that people lacked focus when looking at Comet's homepage, and that only a few actually engaged with the main navigation menu; a key area of the page. The new version is less cluttered, so customers should be less confused about where to go to find what they are looking for on the site. Flash To make more economical use of valuable space above the fold, Comet has introduced a Flash display which showcases the latest products and special offers. Customer can choose to see one of three display options: <img alt="Comet flash display" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3264/2735386670_17eed6cf7f_o.jpg" /> We are not huge fans of Flash at E-consultancy, mainly due to its implications for accessibility and visibility on the search engines. However, it has at least been used sparingly here, and does do the job of reducing clutter. Flash can also impact on loading times, as is the case with the new <a href="/blog/2439-tesco-s-itunes-competitor-how-does-it-shape-up">Tesco Digital </a>website. The box showing the latest albums slows down the page, and this is also the case with the <a href="/blog/2471-site-review-borders-com-revamp">'Magic Bookshelf' feature on Borders.com</a>. With Comet though, while the Flash display is the last thing to load on the homepage, it doesn't slow up the loading time too much. More prominent basket link / search box <img alt="Comet navigation and search box" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/2735386464_8145601072_o.jpg" /> The basket link and the search box now stand out much more on the homepage, which should help customers find these options more easily. On the current version of the homepage, these links were in the top right hand corner of the page, where they could easily be overlooked: <img alt="Basket link" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/2734594143_9d6184eb90_m.jpg" /> This is a good idea, and should have a positive effect on conversion rates; as customers <a href="/blog/1751-warning-i-can-t-find-your-checkout">shouldn't be made to work too hard</a> to find such vital links. In addition, the increased size of the search box now allows users to enter more characters, handy when searching for laptops and TVs with long serial numbers. Below the fold Rather than just promoting more products, Comet uses the area below the fold to display some of the other features on the site; the knowledge centre, and Comet services, delivery, installation etc: <img alt="Comet - below the fold" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/2734553301_ca674f4062_o.jpg" /> Comet has a good deal of product information; guides to choosing a digital TV, MP3s, laptops and more. All this is potentially very useful both to customers who are unfamiliar with this kind of technology, and for those who want to research their products online. Around 70% of visitors to the Comet site come to research products and prices, and it makes sense to provide as much information as possible for these users. Related research: <a href="http://econsultancy.com/reports/usability-and-accessibility-buyer-s-guide-2008">Usability and Accessibility Buyer's Guide 2008</a> Related articles: <a href="/blog/2394-site-comparison-comet-v-pc-world">Site comparison: Comet v PC World</a> <a href="/blog/2647-argos-beats-competition-with-user-friendly-web-design">Argos beats competition with user-friendly web design</a>

<FormattedContent xmlns="http://www.e-consultancy.com/schema/formattedContent/"> <Paragraph> <Emphasis>Old homepage </Emphasis> </Paragraph> <Paragraph>The main reason behind the changes is that the old version of the homepage (below) was considered to be too cluttered:</Paragraph> <Paragraph> <Image AlternateText="Old Comet homepage" Source="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/2734552503_ca933dd7a8_o.jpg"> </Image> </Paragraph> <Paragraph>A recent <Link URL="/blog/2647-argos-beats-competition-with-user-friendly-web-design" Window="Self">post </Link>on our blog, using <Link URL="http://docs.realeyes.it/Comet/heatcast_time.pps" Window="Self">heatmaps</Link>, found that people lacked focus when looking at Comet's homepage, and that only a few actually engaged with the main navigation menu; a key area of the page.</Paragraph> <Paragraph>The new version is less cluttered, so customers should be less confused about where to go to find what they are looking for on the site.</Paragraph> <Paragraph> <Emphasis>Flash</Emphasis> </Paragraph> <Paragraph>To make more economical use of valuable space above the fold, Comet has introduced a Flash display which showcases the latest products and special offers.</Paragraph> <Paragraph>Customer can choose to see one of three display options:</Paragraph> <Paragraph> <Image AlternateText="Comet flash display" Source="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3264/2735386670_17eed6cf7f_o.jpg"> </Image> </Paragraph> <Paragraph>We are not huge fans of Flash at E-consultancy, mainly due to its implications for accessibility and visibility on the search engines. However, it has at least been used sparingly here, and does do the job of reducing clutter.</Paragraph> <Paragraph>Flash can also impact on loading times, as is the case with the new <Link URL="/blog/2439-tesco-s-itunes-competitor-how-does-it-shape-up" Window="Self">Tesco Digital </Link>website. The box showing the latest albums slows down the page, and this is also the case with the <Link URL="/blog/2471-site-review-borders-com-revamp" Window="Self">'Magic Bookshelf' feature on Borders.com</Link>.</Paragraph> <Paragraph>With Comet though, while the Flash display is the last thing to load on the homepage, it doesn't slow up the loading time too much.</Paragraph> <Paragraph> <Emphasis>More prominent basket link / search box</Emphasis> </Paragraph> <Paragraph> <Emphasis> <Image AlternateText="Comet navigation and search box" Source="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/2735386464_8145601072_o.jpg"> </Image> </Emphasis> </Paragraph> <Paragraph>The basket link and the search box now stand out much more on the homepage, which should help customers find these options more easily.</Paragraph> <Paragraph>On the current version of the homepage, these links were in the top right hand corner of the page, where they could easily be overlooked: </Paragraph> <Paragraph> <Image AlternateText="Basket link" Source="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/2734594143_9d6184eb90_m.jpg"> </Image> </Paragraph> <Paragraph>This is a good idea, and should have a positive effect on conversion rates; as customers <Link URL="/blog/1751-warning-i-can-t-find-your-checkout" Window="Self">shouldn't be made to work too hard</Link> to find such vital links.</Paragraph> <Paragraph>In addition, the increased size of the search box now allows users to enter more characters, handy when searching for laptops and TVs with long serial numbers.</Paragraph> <Paragraph> <Emphasis>Below the fold</Emphasis> </Paragraph> <Paragraph>Rather than just promoting more products, Comet uses the area below the fold to display some of the other features on the site; the knowledge centre, and Comet services, delivery, installation etc:</Paragraph> <Paragraph> <Image AlternateText="Comet - below the fold" Source="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/2734553301_ca674f4062_o.jpg"> </Image> </Paragraph> <Paragraph>Comet has a good deal of product information; guides to choosing a digital TV, MP3s, laptops and more.</Paragraph> <Paragraph>All this is potentially very useful both to customers who are unfamiliar with this kind of technology, and for those who want to research their products online.</Paragraph> <Paragraph>Around 70% of visitors to the Comet site come to research products and prices, and it makes sense to provide as much information as possible for these users.</Paragraph> <Paragraph> <Emphasis>Related research:</Emphasis> <LineBreak /> <Link URL="http://econsultancy.com/reports/usability-and-accessibility-buyer-s-guide-2008" Window="Self">Usability and Accessibility Buyer's Guide 2008</Link> </Paragraph> <Paragraph> <Emphasis>Related articles:</Emphasis> <LineBreak /> <Link URL="/blog/2394-site-comparison-comet-v-pc-world" Window="Self">Site comparison: Comet v PC World</Link> <LineBreak /> <Link URL="/blog/2647-argos-beats-competition-with-user-friendly-web-design" Window="Self">Argos beats competition with user-friendly web design</Link> </Paragraph> </FormattedContent>

2008-08-05T12:37:00+01:00

econsultancy_xml

Comet has released a beta version of its homepage this week, allowing customers to give feedback before the new design officially goes live. <img alt="Comet beta homepage" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/2735385592_39888606f6_o.jpg" /> We've taken a look to see what has changed...

<FormattedContent xmlns="http://www.e-consultancy.com/schema/formattedContent/"> <Paragraph> <Emphasis>Comet has released a beta version of its homepage this week, allowing customers to give feedback before the new design officially goes live. </Emphasis> </Paragraph> <Paragraph> <Emphasis> <Image AlternateText="Comet beta homepage" Source="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/2735385592_39888606f6_o.jpg"> </Image> </Emphasis> </Paragraph> <Paragraph> <Quote>We've taken a look to see what has changed... </Quote> </Paragraph> </FormattedContent>

false 2669

Refer also to Econsultancy's <a href="http://econsultancy.com/reports/user-experience-buyers-guide">User Experience Buyer's Guide</a> and <a href="http://econsultancy.com/reports/effective-web-design-best-practice-guide">Effective Web Design Guide</a> for more information about best practice in these areas.

366103

Comet introduces new homepage false

2008-08-07T09:00:00+01:00

comet-introduces-new-homepage

2009-04-28T23:13:25+01:00

2009-10-13T09:44:26+01:00

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