New Homepage test starting Tuesday 20th September
Discussion
navigating that page on iphone 5s - safari... yeah that just doesn't work very well. i know you guys will have commercial forces dictating what's important and what you promote but maybe a rethink and a blank sheet wouldn't go amiss
look at your stats and tell me mobile devices aren't really important enough to be doing decent RWD (and i don't mean rear wheel drive). mobile first and progressive enhancement strategy should work well here.
don't like being negative but i'd not have bothered commenting if this wasn't one of my favourite sites.
look at your stats and tell me mobile devices aren't really important enough to be doing decent RWD (and i don't mean rear wheel drive). mobile first and progressive enhancement strategy should work well here.
don't like being negative but i'd not have bothered commenting if this wasn't one of my favourite sites.
Just now got the new page. Bad grammar and all 
Come on PH, you can do better than this. I certainly don't want to come here and see it put across as mainly a classifieds site. I understand that Haymarket wants to make money but this approach will alienate existing members and put off prospective new members who aren't here to buy/sell.
I've also found that the menu button isn't functional for me on the new page. I'm running Android 6.0.1 and using Chrome 53.0.2785.124.
Come on PH, you can do better than this. I certainly don't want to come here and see it put across as mainly a classifieds site. I understand that Haymarket wants to make money but this approach will alienate existing members and put off prospective new members who aren't here to buy/sell.
I've also found that the menu button isn't functional for me on the new page. I'm running Android 6.0.1 and using Chrome 53.0.2785.124.
TroubledSoul said:
I've also found that the menu button isn't functional for me on the new page. I'm running Android 6.0.1 and using Chrome 53.0.2785.124.
Oh yeah, so it isn't. Quel surprise. Nor is the search button or that login symbol.Who signs off this garbage? Get your act together. I'd get my P45 for delivering tripe like this.
Came straight here after seeing the new homepage. Glad I'm not the only one that thinks this is a step backwards.
I've said this before, but to me it seems like there are people working on this site that are literally justifying their existence probably working on something like this for months and wasting everyone's time in meetings discussing it to produce something that the users do not like and would rather not have changed.
If it isn't broken don't fix it.
I've said this before, but to me it seems like there are people working on this site that are literally justifying their existence probably working on something like this for months and wasting everyone's time in meetings discussing it to produce something that the users do not like and would rather not have changed.
If it isn't broken don't fix it.
Hi All,
Thank you all for the (mainly) constructive feedback! We are listening and I wanted to come back to you on a few key points:
1. Classifieds - Classifieds has been given more prominence on the new homepage as we have been looking at data that shows that people do scroll so this shouldn't impact editorial. If it does then we'll change it, we definitely don't want to stop you viewing our articles. Previous testing we did on the homepage showed that people didn't have a clear view on what the site had to offer and this was a bid to change that.
2. Mobile - This test was designed for desktop only but unfortunately due to some clever legacy code to allow users to switch device some users have managed to find this. We are dealing with this and will also look to change this functionality long term too.
3. Spelling & grammar mistakes - We picked this up pre release but unfortunately this was released slightly early so a very small percentage will see this.
4. Poor Coding - As mentioned this is a test. We have not yet re-coded only repurposed. We know this is not well coded and if this test wins then we will rework this completely.
We are hoping with this test that we can reduce the amount of display adverts and the frequency so we have a slicker, quicker page that has all the content you need. We will add in forums, improve editorial display and make the tweaks as mentioned above - plus anything else you can come up with!
We know this isn’t perfect and needs work but we need to test to get data and feedback so we can move forward. We are listening and we are taking on board everything you are saying so please keep it coming - the more constructive the better!
Thanks,
Amy.
Thank you all for the (mainly) constructive feedback! We are listening and I wanted to come back to you on a few key points:
1. Classifieds - Classifieds has been given more prominence on the new homepage as we have been looking at data that shows that people do scroll so this shouldn't impact editorial. If it does then we'll change it, we definitely don't want to stop you viewing our articles. Previous testing we did on the homepage showed that people didn't have a clear view on what the site had to offer and this was a bid to change that.
2. Mobile - This test was designed for desktop only but unfortunately due to some clever legacy code to allow users to switch device some users have managed to find this. We are dealing with this and will also look to change this functionality long term too.
3. Spelling & grammar mistakes - We picked this up pre release but unfortunately this was released slightly early so a very small percentage will see this.
4. Poor Coding - As mentioned this is a test. We have not yet re-coded only repurposed. We know this is not well coded and if this test wins then we will rework this completely.
We are hoping with this test that we can reduce the amount of display adverts and the frequency so we have a slicker, quicker page that has all the content you need. We will add in forums, improve editorial display and make the tweaks as mentioned above - plus anything else you can come up with!
We know this isn’t perfect and needs work but we need to test to get data and feedback so we can move forward. We are listening and we are taking on board everything you are saying so please keep it coming - the more constructive the better!
Thanks,
Amy.
AmyW said:
1. Classifieds - Classifieds has been given more prominence on the new homepage as we have been looking at data that shows that people do scroll so this shouldn't impact editorial. If it does then we'll change it, we definitely don't want to stop you viewing our articles. Previous testing we did on the homepage showed that people didn't have a clear view on what the site had to offer and this was a bid to change that.
Seriously? It's the entire page, it's an appalling idea. You can easily sit a narrow classifieds banner at the top as suggested above. Not take up the entire page.hornetrider said:
Seriously? It's the entire page, it's an appalling idea. You can easily sit a narrow classifieds banner at the top as suggested above. Not take up the entire page.
This is something we could look to do, yes. The idea of the test is to see whether this helps classifieds and editorial, if it doesn't then we'll change it. There are actually 2 versions, 1 of which has a smaller image. If you have any other feedback please do let us know. hornetrider said:
AmyW said:
1. Classifieds - Classifieds has been given more prominence on the new homepage as we have been looking at data that shows that people do scroll so this shouldn't impact editorial. If it does then we'll change it, we definitely don't want to stop you viewing our articles. Previous testing we did on the homepage showed that people didn't have a clear view on what the site had to offer and this was a bid to change that.
Seriously? It's the entire page, it's an appalling idea. You can easily sit a narrow classifieds banner at the top as suggested above. Not take up the entire page.Interesting viewpoints. A lot are contradictory
It's not professional enough.
It's too commercial.
They sort of go hand in hand. My view.
1. The selling banner is too big and too in your face. Obviously making money is important, can it be smaller and moved down a tad to below the news section? Perhaps put a link in to those nice desktop wallpapers so you get something for doing your car search.
2. Stop the automotive brand positional Ron of Mclaren speak. Instead write "Buy your supercar or banger here, both welcome."
3. Someone commented on it looking too square and seeming like clickbait. I like it actually but I can see how the site can seem like just another site with that presentation. How about making a style unique to PH?
Now I am no web developer but I think all the posters on here really want you to do this, in car terms - give the feel of a Morgan, something unique and personal, but with the underpinnings of something really techy from BMW..... Best of both worlds ?
You need wood and perfectly stitched leather on the surface and a V10 below serving up those pages, thumping along.
Like Morgan or Caterham or etc you need to be distinct.
No point becoming the next Ford. You will lose.
It's not professional enough.
It's too commercial.
They sort of go hand in hand. My view.
1. The selling banner is too big and too in your face. Obviously making money is important, can it be smaller and moved down a tad to below the news section? Perhaps put a link in to those nice desktop wallpapers so you get something for doing your car search.
2. Stop the automotive brand positional Ron of Mclaren speak. Instead write "Buy your supercar or banger here, both welcome."
3. Someone commented on it looking too square and seeming like clickbait. I like it actually but I can see how the site can seem like just another site with that presentation. How about making a style unique to PH?
Now I am no web developer but I think all the posters on here really want you to do this, in car terms - give the feel of a Morgan, something unique and personal, but with the underpinnings of something really techy from BMW..... Best of both worlds ?
You need wood and perfectly stitched leather on the surface and a V10 below serving up those pages, thumping along.
Like Morgan or Caterham or etc you need to be distinct.
No point becoming the next Ford. You will lose.
Hi @Gandahar
Once this has run we’ll look at new versions to see if we can improve this.
Agree on the messaging, our editorial team are going to have a look at this for us.
I also agree on your point about differentiating ourselves. This is just a quick test to see if we can make some changes that brings us up to date and is more useful but longer term we’ll be looking at doing some more interesting things.
If you have anything specific in mind please give me a shout!
Thanks,
Amy.
Once this has run we’ll look at new versions to see if we can improve this.
Agree on the messaging, our editorial team are going to have a look at this for us.
I also agree on your point about differentiating ourselves. This is just a quick test to see if we can make some changes that brings us up to date and is more useful but longer term we’ll be looking at doing some more interesting things.
If you have anything specific in mind please give me a shout!
Thanks,
Amy.
rscott said:
Agreed. I asked a colleague (who's never viewed PH before) to take a look at the new homepage. Their first comment was - "oh, so it's like Autotrader then" . They didn't notice the news or forum at all.
We'll work at adding in the forums to try and show the community side. This was just a quick change rather than adding lots of functionality. If you have any ideas as to how you think we should approach this then please let me know 
Jeez PH, it looks like a couple of amateurs are working on the site. You can't make changes live and let the users tell you where you've cocked up. Its very amateurish and someone should be kicking someone's arse hard. I say this as someone who has managed a lot of site builds and changes and none were ever this awful. Its not even hard to do but the classifieds stuff is going to kill the site. I'd have expected more from EMAP.
Frimley111R said:
Jeez PH, it looks like a couple of amateurs are working on the site. You can't make changes live and let the users tell you where you've cocked up. Its very amateurish and someone should be kicking someone's arse hard. I say this as someone who has managed a lot of site builds and changes and none were ever this awful. Its not even hard to do but the classifieds stuff is going to kill the site. I'd have expected more from EMAP.
Hi Frimley111R. I'm sorry that you're not happy with the new homepage - as we've stated it's a quick test. Can you give me some more specific feedback as to what you would like to see here?TankRizzo said:
Amy, what is your focus behind what you want the site to be? Do you want to focus on the classifieds, or the community, or the editorials? This should be driving your design, not attempting to collate feedback from a bunch of randoms.
The point of this isn't to focus on a specific part of the site, it's to try and marry all parts. Sure, we want to push our classifieds but we also want to keep our loyal readers happy too. You guys help shape what PH is, you aren't randoms, you are our audience. Without specifics on what you'd like to see, it's difficult for us to implement positive changes. We heard you didn't like all the display advertising and this is a way of removing it from the homepage, allowing our users to focus on all the different features PH has to offer. If there's something you hate, tell us why and what you'd like to see in place? As Amy has mentioned, this is a quick test - it's not permanent!
Edited by KatieM on Friday 23 September 17:47
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