[JediNight]

Not a poll in the literal sense, but an unofficial "polling" of what people come to convention sites looking for.

What kind of information do you look for?
What is most important to you that should, say, be presented on the main page or navbar?
What do you look to a search bar for that you would like it to present answers for?

IE: Maps? Deadlines?

What information do you come to convention sites for that you think is hard to find, or frequently not there and would like to see, etc?

This post has been edited by JediNight: 26 July 2012 - 01:02 AM

[opimus.rm]

JediNight, on 26 July 2012 - 01:01 AM, said:

Not a poll in the literal sense, but an unofficial "polling" of what people come to convention sites looking for.

What kind of information do you look for?
What is most important to you that should, say, be presented on the main page or navbar?
What do you look to a search bar for that you would like it to present answers for?

IE: Maps? Deadlines?

What information do you come to convention sites for that you think is hard to find, or frequently not there and would like to see, etc?

Real time room block status updates on the home page. Relying on the formus for status updates is hit and miss.

This post has been edited by opimus.rm: 26 July 2012 - 05:24 AM

[Roark]

Here's the information that needs to be immediately accessible from the front page. These should be links to portals for these users:
-Attendee Info (reg, housing, news, policies, volunteer)
-Exhibitor/Artist Info (deadlines, policies, space maps, industry contact, housing)
-Event Info (integrated events schedule, track descriptions, GoH list)
-Media Info (press, show facts, press kit, policies, press releases)
-Site Info (con center, hotel info, area food, maps, transport options)

All this should be above the fold, so that users don't have to scroll down to find it. This also moves News off the front page and onto a dedicated section.

Commit to an update schedule and stick to it. Let users know ahead of time when to expect updates.

Reorganize your menu hierarchy so that it doesn't just mirror the internal departmental organization. It's not the most optimal from a user perspective. Use informative one-word descriptions for each menu option include a call to action. Right now, the menus aren't very clear as to what you'll find under them (e.g., Anime Central has the housing information, Guests has the Autograph Policy, and Register has Panel request).

Make the website functions consistent. Right now, the web page is one very long page with expand/collapse text, but EH/AA info is on many different small pages.

Stop separating events by type as the main level of categorization. Provide an integrated events schedule by time slot, then use icons/colors to separate by tracks. Create *one* separate page for featured events.

Stop using text frozen in images. It's not searchable, and it doesn't have alt text for screen readers.

Make sure news items display in chronological order or show some reason why the order was broken. Currently, it looks odd that the news posting is apparently out of order. While you're at it, spell out the days of the week, stop using 24 hour time, and add a time zone indicator.

Stop using the forums as a primary communications vehicle. Here's how things should be structured:
-Website: All important information and updates
-Email Newsletter: Changelog of new happenings
-FB/Twitter/G+: Drive people to website content
-Forums: Discussion and clarification of content

Make the login button on the home page descriptive or remove it all together. Right now, it's hanging out on the right there with no indication of its purpose.

Clearly label advertisements.

This post has been edited by Roark: 26 July 2012 - 11:28 AM

[Ervyla]

I agree with most all of the above. Especially regarding posting things that have mostly been posted on the forums on the regular website. I know a lot of people don't go anywhere near the forums but, may check the front page for important news.


Personally, I like to check out the exhibitors before going so I can tr to plan what I want to get. Usually there is a list. It would be nice if there were hyperlinks to the sellers webpages if they have them. As it is, I have to copy/paste and google them.

[Dark Spellmaster]

JediNight, on 26 July 2012 - 01:01 AM, said:

Not a poll in the literal sense, but an unofficial "polling" of what people come to convention sites looking for.

What kind of information do you look for?
What is most important to you that should, say, be presented on the main page or navbar?
What do you look to a search bar for that you would like it to present answers for?

IE: Maps? Deadlines?

What information do you come to convention sites for that you think is hard to find, or frequently not there and would like to see, etc?

1. Techically I look for Who's coming via guests, the panels that will be had, when registration and hotels will be open. Also times and dates, etc.
2. Registration information, hotel info, Panels, guests, rules regarding cosplay props, and rules in regard to what's going on at the con.
3. Panel info, hotel info, guest info. etc.

Hope that helps.

[Genichiro]

Roark, on 26 July 2012 - 11:27 AM, said:

Make sure news items display in chronological order or show some reason why the order was broken.

Yeah, when something it stickied, it should be flagged as such. Makes it a little easier.

Room block stats would be a great help, as well as an easily accessible guest list.

[woozle]

I know that it's usually posted on the forums or the Guidebook App, but I would appreciate it if you would put changes/cancellations for panels or signings on the main page as well. Many of my friends don't check the forums and none of us have smart phones, so we can't check the Guidebook app, either. These are the things i try to look for on the site, but quickly learned that it won't be posted.

[Bloo09]

We can't put it on the main page since it would flood the page and remove important notes but I can look into posting them on our panel programming webpage http://www.ACen.org/...nel-programming though.