Know-How Exchange : Website Critique

I like Steve Krug's book 'Don't Make me Think' about web usability.

A few points:
- the site offers an rss feed, but it is not automatically recognised in my browser (flock). I need to find the obscure button in the top right, which deserves a more prominent position.

- the list 'most popular articles' differs between the home page and the 6 thematic subsidiary pages, which makes it appear random rather than a genuine 'what's popular'

- the horizontal menu has 6 thematic areas, and the 7th menu is something different, which confused me

- the right colum on the home page is apparently the same as the first menu option on the horizontal bar. Considering the premium value of virtual real estate, it takes up valuable space

- if your second objective is to generate leads for your paid service, I would put it in a more prominent position on the page, while explaining more clearly how it works and what it offers

- if you're going to update content regularly, I'd integrate a 'what's new' window in addition to the 'what's popular'.

The title of the home page has !site_name

The home page presents information at the wrong time. The home page should immediately identify who it's targeting. The heading "How Can We Help You?" doesn't help. Instead, "What Help Does Your Nonprofit Need?" or "Does Your NonProfit Need Help Fundraising?".

The focus of your copy should talk about how non-profits always need more fundraising help, and what you do to help them. A testimonial on the home page wouldn't hurt.

The 3 column layout is hard to scan. Use a 2 column layout, and stop the scrolling text ("Be a fundraising superhero" -- it distracts the eye").

Change your signup for "Improve Your Fundraising" to a much simpler form, requiring only the name/email address, that's not in its own page. The more info you request, the less likely you'll get signups. Place the signup form in the right column.

Don't be so eager to sign up people for a 60-day free trial. That may happen eventually, but first people need to believe you can really help them.

Have your contact information in the footer of all pages.

Move the "most popular articles" to another page ("Articles"?).

Hi Jono

The "Get notified when this site is updated" - RSS feed subscription box is a bit misleading -surely the RSS feed is of your blog, rather than when the site is updated?

Skoobie has already spoken in this one - but the Contact button directly spawning an e-mail form is useless if the user is not on their own computer. You need other options (response form, for example), a published e-mail address, and published office location details, mailing address and telephone numbers, if you want to look legitimate to NFPs and CSOs. The NFP sector is a cynical and suspicious crowd - you need to earn their trust by appearing open, accessible and transparent.

I was just getting used to Fundraising123, Fundraising 101, Web Site 101 and Email 101, when I clicked on Training and had to get my head around NonProfit 911.
There's too many different names and numbers going on here! The products and services should have clearer branding that does not confuse the message of the core brand.

Overall I get a feeling each page is composed of lists of articles - there is a sameiness which makes me wonder how much content you really have to offer.

Have you thought about the path you expect NFP prospective buyers to take through the website? I get the feeling you have provided many potential points of entry in the hope of selling something on any page. I think you need a more focused and funnel-like approach than that.

On the home page, "Browse the learning center" doesn't tell me what I might find under any icon. It took me a while to figure I had to select one to be able to see the little animation in the larger window above. Some better explanation might help...


Hope that helps.

ChrisB