Please keep the old classified format..

[c7borg]

Since you've rolled back I can't say how much I appreciate the old look, it just looks so much cleaner. As a web designer myself I know how easily redesigns try to offer too much trying to please the customers endless spec' only to confuse, bewilder and clutter the user interface ultimately resulting into decrease in site traffic trying to achieve it.

By trying to squash adverts side by side you loose the flow of adverts, just look at EBAY how much do you think they invest in user interface design and why do you think they stick to the single column view - because it works.

Just remember, because you've paid for it to be redesigned you don't have to go with if it doesn't work especially if the previous design works better! Why not re-introduce free adverts or two tier pricing premium/standard if you want to achieve more traffic?

[MattDell]

c7borg said:

By trying to squash adverts side by side you loose the flow of adverts, just look at EBAY how much do you think they invest in user interface design and why do you think they stick to the single column view - because it works.

We have 4 views available. You can easily switch to a listing view just as you described, but I'm sure you probably didn't have enough time (or patience) to play around with it all.

[c7borg]

Excellent.. more functionality..

Yes, when the site changes back I will sit down and read the instruction manual ..or I will I just use ebay to look for a new car? If I'm thinking it I'm sure others are..

Don't take this as an insult but your existing classified is good subtle changes to the functionally would have done the job, how do you think your user base has got so big?

[pete a]

c7borg said:

Excellent..

Don't take this as an insult but your existing classified is good subtle changes to the functionally would have done the job, how do you think your user base has got so big?

He is right, the new classifieds whilst having loads of search criteria was just a bit of an assault on the eyes and brain, the old format is so easy to use and easy on the eyes.
Could you not just improve the search facility's such as being able to choose the color of car and some of the new sites search features and just sort of make it the old site but on steroids?

[RetroTed]

pete a said:

c7borg said:

Excellent..

Don't take this as an insult but your existing classified is good subtle changes to the functionally would have done the job, how do you think your user base has got so big?

He is right, the new classifieds whilst having loads of search criteria was just a bit of an assault on the eyes and brain, the old format is so easy to use and easy on the eyes.
Could you not just improve the search facility's such as being able to choose the color of car and some of the new sites search features and just sort of make it the old site but on steroids?

pulls up a chair
But I agree don't fix it if it isn't broken

[jhayward1980]

I really loved the old format - most of the time I'm not looking for something, I'm really just browsing nice pictures and the simplicity lends to this activity. Sorry to be a nay sayer to change.

[Hatchoo]

I don't want to come over all Luddite-y but it was great to discover the old classified system running, not because it's cosily familiar but because it's so straightforward and quick...and quicker is better.

[Wozy68]

Hatchoo said:

I don't want to come over all Luddite-y but it was great to discover the old classified system running, not because it's cosily familiar but because it's so straightforward and quick...and quicker is better.

+1. So many sites now want so much info off you before you look, or try to throw adverts at you so often they just become annoying and because of that sell you nothing, that I quite often find I just switch site. ..... usually to PH.

Great thing about PH? It's simplicity....... Simples

[crofty1984]

I liked the new features.
The old system was good if you already knew what cer you were looking for, but no good for throwing up new ideas. I like the "what's the cheapest V8 I can find" game.

[ThePrisoner]

MattDell said:

We have 4 views available. You can easily switch to a listing view just as you described, but I'm sure you probably didn't have enough time (or patience) to play around with it all.

Hi Everyone

This has to be a good Feature. Giving everyone an Option to view the Classifieds how they like it. Well done that man .

[Ejays]

I love the old format and happy to see it back (if only temporaraly!!),....I bought my Jag on Piston Heads three years ago now, and not only was it easy to find the car I wanted, it also gave me the best car I have ever had, I still drive her everyday, and she has never let me down!!,..."God bless Piston Heads!!"

[Steffan]

I do think as others have said that the old system had a certain originality of appearance and layout that made Pistonheads a unique experience.

If I wanted Autotrader, which I think is appalling, both in content and layout, I would go to Autotrader. If I wanted Ebay I would go to Ebay. I like Ebay but it is a very different experience from Pistonheads.

Pistonheads has its own style and I think that is its strength.

However it is not my business, and it is yours to move in any direction you feel appropriate. Fortune favours the brave. But, given the level and consistency of the responses, I would be thinking again.

Edited by Steffan on Monday 14th November 21:14

[cuneus]

ThePrisoner said:

MattDell said:

We have 4 views available. You can easily switch to a listing view just as you described, but I'm sure you probably didn't have enough time (or patience) to play around with it all.

Hi Everyone

This has to be a good Feature. Giving everyone an Option to view the Classifieds how they like it. Well done that man .

Except that the new version of Gallery view is much worse

[pete a]

PH staff seem to be sticking their fingers in their ears and going nananananana we can't hear you.

[saaby93]

Ive been watching the video
http://pistonheads.co.uk/news/default.asp?storyId=...
I dont know whether it will work as there are lots of poppy out things and the aston bigger picture just seemed to pop out the same picture with a big white border.

When autotrader changed didnt they claim that many of their target audience wanted to search for a hatchback rather than a particular make/model then choose by the price and colour?

If PH classifieds is going to go increase its audience maybe it needs to go the same way. I'd still suggest offering a link to the present site if it's only a new front end to the same database

[pete a]

Hatchoo said:

I don't want to come over all Luddite-y but it was great to discover the old classified system running, not because it's cosily familiar but because it's so straightforward and quick...and quicker is better.

top lurking

[Stu R]

pete a said:

PH staff seem to be sticking their fingers in their ears and going nananananana we can't hear you.

Either that or they're more aware of the issues on a technical level, see the need to move forward, and have noticed the positive comments as well as the negative.

People will always be vocal about how they much prefer the old way when updates get rolled out, whether it be here, facebook, twitter or any other high traffic site. Then the dust settles and it's business as usual with the new designs. The proof is always in the analytics, and I'll bet a dollar to a dime it's a forward step in terms of how the majority use the site.

I do think an easier way would be to have a drop down styles box in the nav area at the top right of the page which stuck the ability to change between formats under users noses to quash the complaints, but I'd expect that would bring its own problems. Damned if you do, damned if you don't, I suppose, but given we've yet to see the new updates performing at their best with all the indexing sorted etc, surely a better approach is to give it a chance?

[ChrisJ.]

Hatchoo said:

I don't want to come over all Luddite-y but it was great to discover the old classified system running, not because it's cosily familiar but because it's so straightforward and quick...and quicker is better.

Exactly.

The quicker something loads the better. I don't care how much better the search features are, if you're having to wait ages for something to happen, they count for nothing.
Here in the back of beyond, I'm not even bound to get on line at a given moment.

[bmthnick1981]

Is it worth creating a poll in general gassing; which do you prefer, the old style classifieds or new style?

Could be interesting.

[Drebble]

pete a said:

PH staff seem to be sticking their fingers in their ears and going nananananana we can't hear you.

Given the posts in the last week or so I'd say they're probably very busy taking on board what you've been saying in the last few days and trying to improve the new site prior to relaunching it.

Rather than, as you put it, 'sticking their fingers in their ears'.

When I was able to browse the new Classifies (albeit very slowly!) all the functionality of the old site was there just re-skinned. Once the performance issues are sorted I'm sure the site will be a much better tool to find that next chariot.